Smaller political parties are right to challenge new political party funding formula: Analyst

The Weekend View

President Cyril Ramaphosa has signed into law the Second Adjustments Appropriation Bill and the Electoral Matters Amendment Bill. According to the Presidency, the two Bills will expand financial resources for South Africa's multiparty democracy, including support for independent candidates and representatives. The Second Adjustments Appropriation Bill provides for a net movement of R290 million across functions and economic classifications in line with the requirements of the state and provides additional financial support to a number of departments and institutions. The Electoral Matters Amendment which, among other provisions, amends the Political Party Funding Act of 2018 to provide for the regulation of the private and public funding of independent candidates and independent representatives. Analysts say the latter has also created a temporary gap in the law, removing the limit on how much funding political parties may receive from donors and they won't have to declare it either. Previously
political parties warned that if Ramaphosa assented to the Bill, they would be forced to join civil society, which had already given notice of an intent to approach the courts to oppose this legislation on the grounds that it is unconstitutional. To unpack this Bongiwe Zwane spoke to Nkosikhulule Nyembezi, Policy Analyst and Researcher at Election Monitoring Network and PAC Secretary General, Apa Pooe