JOHANNESBURG — South African President Cyril Ramaphosa on Friday signed the Political Party Funding Act into law which forces political parties to disclose their funders to the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) with effect from April 1, said the Presidency.
“The Act prohibits donations to parties by foreign governments or agencies, foreign persons or entities, organs of state or state-owned enterprises. Parties may however receive funding from foreign entities for training, skills development, or policy development. No member of a political party may receive a donation other than for political party purposes,” said Tyrone Seale, acting spokesperson to the President.
“The implementation of the Political Party Funding Act will have far-reaching consequences for good governance and ethical political activity. It will strengthen the confidence of citizens in the democratic political process and enable them to assert their right to information,” the spokesperson said.
The IEC has welcomed the Act. Spokesperson Kate Bapela said the Act will contribute to increased transparency, good governance and access to information which will ultimately enhance the credibility of the electoral process.