Dear Editor
Court documents have revealed that the African National Congress (ANC) gave Ezulweni Investments a R190 million contract for election materials, including 15 000 banners and 1 million corex boards earmarked for what the ANC calls “strategic partners” and “strategic alliances.”
These documents raise serious questions about which political parties are benefiting from ANC funding. South Africans have the right to know if these parties are effectively acting as ANC proxies during and after elections.
The Democratic Alliance (DA) will be submitting a formal PAIA request to the ANC to disclose all parties receiving election materials or support through the Ezulweni contract.
In addition, we will write to the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) to demand an urgent investigation.
The IEC must determine whether supplying materials to these “strategic partners” and “strategic alliances” amounts to undeclared funding in terms of the Political Party Funding Act.
Any in-kind donations to other parties must be transparent, so voters can make informed choices.
South Africans cannot be left in the dark about how ANC resources are being used. Political funding and support must be declared openly.
Any party receiving assistance from the ANC should be publicly identified, so there is no doubt about its relationship with the ruling party.
The DA calls on the ANC to immediately disclose all parties benefiting from its “strategic alliances” programme. Attempts to hide funding or influence undermine democracy and breach South Africa’s electoral rules.
Regards
Willie Aucamp MP
DA National Spokesperson