The IEC has released the political party funding report.
Image: Bongani Shilubane / Independent Newspapers
Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) has raised questions over a R30 million donation declared by RISE Mzansi, while figures show political parties received more than R97 million in donations ahead of the local government elections.
The elections will take place on November 4, President Cyril Ramaphosa announced.
The IEC's latest disclosure report, covering January to March 2026, shows that political parties declared a combined R97.2 million in funding, with the Democratic Alliance (DA) receiving the largest share by a wide margin.
The commission confirmed it is seeking further information about RISE Mzansi's R30 million declaration after the party reported that the amount arose from the conversion of a previous loan into a donation from an entity known as "We Are The People."
According to the IEC, the transaction did not originate as a direct donation and the terms of the loan conversion are being examined to determine whether they fully comply with the Political Party Funding Act.
DA dominates fundraising race
The DA emerged as the biggest beneficiary of political donations during the reporting period, declaring a total of R57.3 million, representing nearly 60% of all donations disclosed.
The party's funding included:- R54.9 million in monetary donations.
- R2.4 million in in-kind donations.
Major contributors included:- Main Street 1564 (Pty) Ltd.
- Fynbos Ekwiteit (Pty) Ltd.
- M. Slack.
- Fynbos Kapitaal (Pty) Ltd.
Each of these donors contributed between R10 million and R13 million.
Other significant donations included:- R4 million from G. Ryan.
- R3 million from D. Barnes.
- R1.27 million from the Danish Liberal Democracy Programme.
The party also received substantial non-financial support, including donations from the Voices of South Africa Foundation and the Friedrich Naumann Foundation.
RISE Mzansi's R30 million under scrutiny
RISE Mzansi declared a single donation worth R30 million, making it one of the largest individual declarations recorded since political funding disclosures became mandatory.
The donation stemmed from the conversion of an existing loan into a donation rather than a new cash contribution, prompting the IEC to seek clarity on the arrangement.
While the commission has not suggested any wrongdoing, it says further assessment is required.
ActionSA secures nearly R10 million
ActionSA declared donations totalling R9.9 million.
Its largest donations included:- R5 million from businessman Martin Moshal.
- R1 million from Siyaya Free to Air TV.
- R1 million from African Equity Corporation.
Approximately R2.9 million in cumulative donations from party leader Herman Mashaba.
ANC and smaller parties face disclosure issues
The IEC also highlighted compliance concerns involving several parties.
The Alliance of Citizens for Change (A.C.C.) declared a R440,500 donation from founder Masizole Mnqasela nearly a year after it was received.
The commission has requested an explanation for the late disclosure.
Build One South Africa (BOSA) declared an in-kind donation of R113,794.60 from Konrad Adenauer Stiftung.
The ANC, meanwhile, has been asked to account for donor declarations worth R770,000 that had not yet been acknowledged by the party when the report was published.
The party also submitted late declarations totalling R10.5 million, including:
- R10 million from Botho Botho Commercial Enterprises.
- R501,230.21 from Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung.
Millions flow into election battle
Overall, political parties declared R94.8 million in cash donations and R2.4 million in non-monetary contributions during the quarter.
With local government elections fast approaching, the figures underline the growing financial stakes of the nation’s political contest.
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