Until recently, South Africa's political parties have been largely united in their opposition to the regulation of their private funding. After the ANC changed its stance last year, on the 27 March 2018, the National Assembly adopted the Political Party Funding Bill.
Twelve out of thirteen political parties represented in Parliament supported its adoption. On the 18th of April 2018, the Bill cleared its next hurdle when the NCOP passed a motion to establish an Ad Hoc Committee consisting of 9 members to consider it. This Bill is the first drafted legislation to provide for and regulate private funding to political parties in South Africa. In addition, the Bill includes a disclosure regime for private donations received by political parties.
While My Vote Counts (MVC) welcomed the Bill, it is concerned about potential loopholes that will allow private funding sources to remain secret, alongside other issues. These are unpacked in a Policy Brief and the infographic below.
