Political party funding back on Home Affairs committee's agenda in February

CAPE TOWN - The matter of political party funding will be back on the table of Parliament’s home affairs committee in February, as it looks to determine a new limit and threshold for receiving and declaring donations.

In August, the Western Cape High Court reinstated the limits removed by the sixth Parliament ahead of the May elections until such time as the National Assembly advises the president on new ones.

Home affairs committee chairperson, Mosa Chabane, said Parliament needed to make an informed decision based on a thorough study into the matter.

In December, the home affairs committee invited political parties and non-governmental organisations to express their views on increasing the upper limit for receiving donations, which currently stands at R15 million, and the R100,000 declaration threshold.

Chabane said the committee was awaiting a report from the National Treasury and Parliament's budget office to advise it on any amendments that should be made.

"Members of the committee will then deliberate so that we bring a detailed, fact-based motion to the House."

Chabane said the committee was also still waiting for the Electoral Commission's 2024 provincial and national elections report, which has been delayed by legal challenges.

The committee has several concerns about these polls, including the long waiting time.

"In the facilitation of the elections, there were some of the voter management devices that were not working because of network or reasons that we will be briefed by the IEC. The training of staff is another area of concern. Most of the staff that were facilitating in the voting districts could not even interpret the process in the legislation."

The electoral reform consultation panel, which is currently reviewing the country’s electoral system, is also due to submit its report to the minister by May.