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How South Africans Unknowingly Funded Political Parties With Over R2.1 Billion in 2024
Author: NewsInSA
A new My Vote Counts report reveals South Africans unknowingly funded political parties with over R2.1 billion in 2024, exposing deep transparency gaps in how taxpayer money supports party politics.
CAPE TOWN – October 2025 A new My Vote Counts report has revealed that South African taxpayers contributed more than R2.1 billion to political parties last year — largely through state-funded allocations managed by the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC), Parliament, and provincial legislatures.
The investigation, unpacked by Daily Maverick journalist Rebecca Davis, exposes how billions in public funds flow to political organizations annually — with little transparency and limited oversight on how the money is spent.
“Did you know that all of us give over two billion rand a year to South Africa’s political parties, whether we like it or not?” Davis said in her analysis. “That’s your money.”
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Tax Money Keeps the Parties Alive
According to the report, taxpayers’ money financed R2.1 billion of political party operations in the last financial year.
When combined with private and corporate donations, the total income of South Africa’s political parties soared to R3.2 billion — over R1 billion more than the previous year, largely due to the 2024 general elections.
The ANC, DA, and EFF dominated the funding pool, collectively capturing the vast majority of public and private funds:
- ANC: Over R1 billion in total allocations
- DA: Approximately R430 million
- EFF: Around R259 million
Together, the ANC and DA received over 73% of all funding, reinforcing what analysts call a self-perpetuating cycle of dominance — where larger parties receive more funding, leaving smaller or newer movements struggling to compete.
Public Money, Private Spending — But No Transparency
Public funds are meant to be used for specific purposes, such as political education, developing democratic participation, and supporting legislative functions.
However, the report found major gaps in accountability, noting that parties are not required to fully disclose how taxpayer money is spent — or whether it is used in compliance with the law.
My Vote Counts says that only a third of private donations are traceable to identifiable sources, meaning that two-thirds of political financing remains in the dark.
The Problem With Disclosure Laws
President Cyril Ramaphosa recently signed a new proclamation limiting disclosure requirements — meaning only donations above R200,000 must now be made public.
Critics warn that this change will push more political money into the shadows, allowing undisclosed donors to wield influence through smaller, untraceable contributions.
“We’re going to know even less in the future,” Davis cautioned.
“This regulation means that vast amounts of political money can now move unseen.”
The Curious Case of ‘Other Income’
The ANC, according to the report, declared that 80% of its private funding came from a category simply labeled “other income” — with no breakdown or explanation provided.
When asked for clarity, the party reportedly did not respond.
The DA, which attributes around 15% of its income to the same category, claimed it comes from merchandise sales, fundraising events, and investment returns.
Davis joked, “Maybe the ANC is just selling a lot of caps,” underscoring the absurd opacity surrounding political finance.
Loans or Disguised Donations?
Another red flag is the use of financial loans — a method that allows parties to access large sums without declaring donor identities.
The report revealed:
- The EFF received a R60 million loan (reportedly from Standard Bank) — more than all its declared private donations combined.
- Rise Mzansi took a R22.1 million loan during the same period.
Because South Africa’s disclosure laws don’t cover loans, such transactions can easily become donations disguised as debt, shielding donors from scrutiny.
Election-Year Windfall
The surge in funding coincided with the 2024 general elections, when both private donors and corporations dramatically increased their contributions.
While this influx of money fueled campaign activity, it also amplified concerns about quid pro quo politics — where powerful donors expect influence or access in return for their support.
“The question we should all be asking,” Davis said, “is what do they expect back in return?”
Accountability Gap: Where Does the Money Go?
Despite the billions flowing into party coffers, South Africans remain in the dark about how much is spent, and on what.
Parties are not legally obliged to publish detailed expenditure reports, meaning the true cost of political operations and election campaigns remains unknown.
My Vote Counts warns that without stricter transparency rules, voters cannot judge whether taxpayer-funded political financing is necessary, justified, or abused.
A Democratic Dilemma
The findings highlight a fundamental paradox in South African democracy: while public financing aims to strengthen multi-party representation, the lack of transparency and accountability risks entrenching corruption and political inequality.
As taxpayers continue to fund parties to the tune of billions, calls are growing for Parliament to tighten financial disclosure laws and increase oversight mechanisms — ensuring that public money serves democracy, not political privilege.
