The Electoral Commission has raised compliance concerns about donations received by the ANC, revealing the party failed to meet legal requirements when reporting R15.27 million in contributions.

The commission published its quarterly report on political party donations for the first quarter of the 2026/27 financial year, which covers the period leading up to the local government elections scheduled for 4 November.

Under current rules, political parties must declare any donation above R200 000 to the public. The upper limit a party can receive in donations per year stands at R30 million.

Four parties declare R116 million

Four political parties declared a combined R116.78 million in donations during the reporting period. This total includes R111.5 million in cash donations and R5.28 million in goods and services donated to parties.

The Democratic Alliance received the lion’s share, declaring R104 million, which represents 89% of all donations reported during the quarter. The DA also received significant non-cash contributions, including advertising, staff costs, legal services and campaign materials paid for on its behalf.

ActionSA declared R5.5 million, the Labour Party of South Africa R5 million, and RISE Mzansi R2.25 million.

Problems with ANC submissions

The Electoral Commission said both the ANC and donors who gave money to the party submitted declarations, but none of these met the requirements set out in the Political Funding Act.

The breaches include submitting reports after deadlines had passed, failing to provide proof of transactions, and not ensuring both the donor and the party reported the same donation, as required by law.

The commission also noted that the ANC reported many donations relating to the previous 2025/26 financial year well after the reporting deadlines had closed.

ActionSA also faces a compliance issue regarding a donation from Siyaya Free To Air TV. While the party declared the donation, the broadcaster has not yet submitted the required matching declaration.

The Electoral Commission has urged all political parties and donors to report funding accurately, on time, with proper proof of transactions, and to ensure both parties in a donation transaction submit the required declarations.

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