Godongwana: Govt will ensure IEC is adequately funded
Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana says R885 million in funding has been earmarked for the Independent Electoral Commission, with an additional R550 million allocated to SAPS and the SANDF to maintain public order in the run-up to South Africa’s next local government elections.
The polls are set to be held between November 2026 and February 2027.
Speaking on Thursday, the second and final day of the Electoral Commission’s inaugural Symposium on political funding, Godongwana emphasised the government’s commitment to ensuring the IEC has the necessary resources to conduct free and fair elections.
The symposium brought together a wide array of key stakeholders, including political parties, Parliament, academia, civil society, media, business leaders, and international organisations, to enhance the regulation, transparency, and accountability of political financing.
“As custodians of the fiscus, we ensure IEC funding for successful elections. You are all aware of the announcement I made in the much-contested 2025 Budget Speech on funds allocated to the IEC for the hosting of the upcoming local government elections,” Godongwana said.
The minister also addressed shortcomings in the current Political Party Funding Act, noting that many political parties have failed to submit the required audited financial statements over the past three years.
While the Electoral Commission is pursuing sanctions, Godongwana lamented the slow pace of the process.
“As the National Treasury and the government as a whole, we must commit to improving transparency and oversight of political finance to prevent abuse by illicit networks,” he stressed.
He further critiqued the broader electoral democracy, saying it has “clear limitations” and described the reliance on private donations as problematic.
“A key question that then arises is what is the appropriate level of funding for political parties and what form should this take? Another related key question is whether the IEC is the appropriate institution for maintaining oversight on political parties, and for sanctioning their delinquent behaviour, if any? Will this not tarnish the image of the IEC in the eyes of political parties and other individuals contesting elections, given that it ought to remain neutral, independent and free of bias?”
Godongwana added that he is optimistic about the quality of the engagement at the symposium.
“It is encouraging that so many people have gathered to discuss, debate and find tangible solutions to the challenge to strengthen our democracy through a fair and transparent political process of party funding. It is in this spirit that we can develop solutions that will ultimately nurture and sustain our young democracy and safeguard its integrity.”
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