Latest news with #PoliticalFundingAct
IOL News
6 hours ago
- Politics
- IOL News
Exploring the 2023/24 funding of South African political parties
Political parties represented in Parliament and the nine provincial legislatures shared more than R3.24 billion in 2023/24, according to lobby group My Vote Counts. Image: Bongani Shilubane / Independent Newspapers Political parties represented in Parliament shared over R3.24 billion in 2023/24 through private funding, allocation from Parliament and provincial legislatures, and the Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC). According to lobby group My Vote Counts (MVC), the ANC received the lion's share of nearly R1.72bn and the DA was allocated about R655 million, while the EFF got over R309m. The list does not include uMkhonto weSizwe Party as it only contested elections for the first time in May last year following its establishment in December 2023. In the 2023/24 financial year, the IEC received disclosure reports from Parliament and all nine provincial legislatures in respect of the funding of represented political parties. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ An amount of about R1.56bn from Parliament and nine provincial legislatures was allocated to 15 represented political parties. The ANC's R1.72bn allocation includes R905m from Parliament and provincial legislatures, R527m through private funding, and R286m from the IEC-administered represented political parties and multi-party democracy funds, according to MVC. The DA received R311m from Parliament and provincial legislatures, R213m through private funding, and R121m from the IEC. The EFF's R309m includes R180m from Parliament and provincial legislatures, R79m from the commission, and R51m in private funding. A few months ago, the National Assembly's Portfolio Committee on Home Affairs voted to double two crucial limits in the Political Funding Act. This means the disclosure threshold and donations cap could be raised from R100,000 to R200,000 and R15m to R30m, respectively. The MVC was among several organisations that objected during the public participation process, after which the committee unanimously voted to adopt a report and resolution recommending the increase. 'In passing the resolution, the committee chose to disregard both relevant empirical considerations and the public interest, in favour of political expediency,' the group accused the committee. It noted that funding through the represented political parties' fund (RPPF), as revealed in Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana's Budget, barely increases over the next few financial years. 'This belies the passion with which parties spoke about the need for more funding during the parliamentary processes... If parties are indeed so desperate for additional funding, why did they accept a Budget that offers them a real-term reduction in public funding?' it asked. The amount allocated to represented parties through the RPPF in 2022/23 was R342m, and R322m is the adjusted appropriation for 2024/25. The R850m for 2023/24 was an anomaly as an additional amount was distributed to parties to allow them to prepare for the 2024 national and provincial elections.
The Star
9 hours ago
- Politics
- The Star
Two rallies with two messages taking place in Kota Kinabalu
KOTA KINABALU: Two peaceful rallies are being staged in nearby locations over the weekend, each conveying different messages. The first rally involves university students mainly from Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS), non-governmental organisations and supporters. The second, a smaller group claiming to be university students and their supporters, is also taking place in the city. The UMS group is holding the Gempur Rasuah 2.0 rally, protesting against corruption, unfair administration, and the failure to deliver basic infrastructure and necessities such as water. They are also continuing their year-long criticism of Tun Musa Aman's appointment as the Head of State. UMS student group Suara Mahasiswa president Muhamad Fadhil Muhamad Kasim said the rally is not against the government but opposes corrupt and unfair governance. It is also a call for the youth to voice their dissatisfaction and concerns when something is wrong with the government. They began their rally in front of the Suria Sabah Shopping Mall and initially refused to leave despite security guards' requests, so as not to disrupt mall-goers and road users. However, they relented after being informed that the rally was legal, with police approval and certain rules in place. The Gempur Rasuah 2.0 rally is set to continue at several checkpoints until Sunday (June 22). The other movement, Gerakan Anak Muda dan Mahasiswa Anak Sabah (Gammas), held a demonstration lasting less than 30 minutes at Chong Tien Vun Park nearby. Representative Noridi @ Noraidi Maya said they are not staging a counter-rally against the UMS students but showing solidarity and support for Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor. He stated that students received benefits and aid from the government, such as the Sentosa, Budi, and Subfly assistance. Regarding the ongoing mining scandal, he said it is best to leave investigations to the authorities, as students are unsure of the details and proceedings. On issues of water, electricity, and infrastructure such as roads, Noridi said these are decades-old problems currently being addressed. Other matters discussed included the proposed Political Funding Act and the appointment of Tun Musa Aman as the Head of State. 'We urge the federal government to expedite the passing of this Political Funding Act to prevent issues such as mining and related matters from recurring,' he said. Noridi stated that the TYT's appointment is final and should not be questioned further. He called on students and the public to move on from this matter to protect the sanctity of the royal institution.
eNCA
5 days ago
- Business
- eNCA
Unmasking the political blessers
JOHANNESBURG - The Electoral Commission is hosting its first Political Funding symposium. It comes four years after the implementation of the Political Funding Act. It also comes after the National Assembly approved the doubling of thresholds for private political funding.
