Funding Act to Keep South African Political Parties in Check?

President Cyril Ramaphosa has signed a Proclamation on the Commencement of the Political Party Funding Act, 2018 (Act no. 6 of 2018), which regulates public and private funding of political parties. The legislation will prohibit donations to parties from foreign governments or agencies, foreign persons or entities, organs of state or state-owned enterprises.

The legislation would regulate conditions similar to that of when a U.S.$33,000 donation was made to Ramaphosa by Bosasa - a firm accused of acquiring government tenders illegally - to fund his bid to lead the African National Congress. This raised controversy during 2019 and led to a court battle with Public Protector Busisiwe Mkhwebane.

This article originally appeared on All Africa

Photo: Flickr