President Cyril Ramaphosa has approved major amendments to South Africa’s political funding rules, doubling both the annual cap on private donations and the threshold for disclosure.
According to a proclamation published in the Government Gazette, the annual donation ceiling has been raised from R15 million to R30 million.
The proclamation also increased the disclosure threshold, allowing donations under R200 000 to go unreported, up from the previous R100 000 limit.
Ramaphosa made the changes under powers granted by the Political Party Funding Act, which allows the president to set financial thresholds.
The revisions follow a National Assembly resolution in May, based on recommendations from Parliament’s Portfolio Committee on Home Affairs.
Civil society pushback on donation limits
Civil society organisation My Vote Counts (MVC) condemned the move, warning it could erode transparency and public trust.
“Raising the ceiling means political parties can now accept R200 000 without disclosure. A donor can funnel R30 million annually to each party of their choice,” MVC said in a statement.
MVC is already pursuing legal action in the Western Cape High Court, challenging both the limits and the constitutionality of giving the president final authority over them.
Electoral Commission’s Position
The Electoral Commission’s George Mahlangu emphasised last week that all parties remain bound by the law.
He said parties must still reflect donations below the new threshold in their annual financial statements.
Transparency vs Political Financing
According to IOL, supporters argue the revised limits account for inflation and rising campaign costs.
But critics warned the higher thresholds risk undermining South Africa’s fragile efforts to regulate political financing, especially in the run-up to future elections.
Do higher donation limits strengthen democracy by reflecting economic realities?
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