Party Funding Timeline

MVC and R2K Submission on the Draft Regulations for the Political Party Funding Act

21 March 2019

The Electoral Commission (IEC) opened up comments relating to the Draft Regulations for the new Political Party Funding Act which the IEC plans to start implemeting in phases from 1 April 2019. The deadline for submission was 21 March 2019. Together with Right 2 Know, we have put together our comments and submitted them for consideration. You can read our joint submission here.

President signs bill into law

22 January 2019

President Cyril Ramaphosa signed the Bill into law. Although we welcome the signing of this historic piece of legislation, we are disappointed that political parties will only be compelled to disclose their private funding information after the 2019 elections.

Party Funding Bill still to be signed

1 December 2018

In October 2018, we had given President Ramaphosa a deadline of end November to sign the Political Party Funding Bill. The reason for this was that if signed by the end of November, it would have been enough time for it to come into effect before the elections. The time-frame for processes and mechanisms required for the functioning of the legislation is 6 months. However, President Ramaphosa still has not signed this bill which is concerning. It is also now in the literal hands of the President who had assured South Africans that this bill was on his priority list. It is all up to the President to sign it — when that will be is only his guess.

NCOP adopts Political Party Funding bill

27 June 2018

In a historic victory for the South African democracy, the National Council of Provinces have adopted the Political Party Funding Bill with no amendments. The bill is now sent to the President to be signed into law.

Constitutional Court rules in favour of MVC

21 June 2018

The Constitutional Court rules in favour of My Vote Counts regarding the invalidity of the Promotion of Access to Information Act (PAIA) with regards to the access of private donor information of political parties. To read the full judgement, you can click the link: PAIA Constitutional Court Judgement 2018

MVC makes oral submission to NCOP

20 June 2018

MVC and other organisations make present oral arguments for the bill before the NCOP ad-hoc committee. To read our submission made before the NCOP ad-hoc committee, you can click this link: MVC NCOP Oral Submission

Deliberations in Ad-Hoc committee in NCOP commences

7 June 2018

The Ad-Hoc committee for the Funding of Political Parties in the National Council of Provinces (NCOP) kicks off today. The NCOP process will be similar to the one in the National Assembly with a total of six meetings. Click here for detailed meeting minutes and information on the committee members.

National Assembly adopts Political Party Funding Bill

28 November 2017

Ad Hoc Committee on the Funding of Political Parties in the National Assembly adopts the Political Party Funding Bill.

Public hearings

7 November 2017

Ad Hoc Committee on the Funding of Political Parties holds public hearings on Draft Political Party Funding Bill. The 2 day public hearings heard arguments from MVC, Centre for the Advancement of the South African Constitution, the South African Local Government Association and SANEF to name a few.

PAIA ruled unconstitutional

27 September 2017

WC High Court rules in favour of MVC, declares PAIA unconstitutional and gives parliament 18 months to rectify defects.

Written comments

19 September 2017

Ad Hoc Committee on the Funding of Political Parties invites written comments on Draft Political Party Funding Bill.

Draft bill

14 September 2017

Ad Hoc Committee on the Funding of Political Parties produces a Committee Draft Political Party Funding Bill.

PAIA case heard

15 August 2017

WC High Court hears MVC’s PAIA case.

Public hearings

15 August 2017

Ad Hoc Committee on the Funding of Political Parties holds public hearings on review of the Public Funding of Represented Political Parties Act, No.103 of 1997.

MVC files Heads of Argument

24 July 2017

Call for public comment

24 June 2017

Ad Hoc Committee on the Funding of Political Parties calls for public comments on review of the Public Funding of Represented Political Parties Act, No.103 of 1997.

First committee meeting

21 June 2017

Ad Hoc Committee on the Funding of Political Parties meets for the first time to elect a Chairperson (Vincent Smith).

MVC files responding affidavit

2 June 2017

Ad-Hoc Committee in National Assembly adopts Bill

27 March 2017

The Ad-Hoc committee in the National Assembly unanimously adopts the Political Party Funding Bill. Twelve out of the thirteen parties voted in support of the bill. As part of the Parliamentary process on a Section 75 bill, this bill will now go to the National Council of Provinces.

Ad Hoc Committee on the Funding of Political Parties established

6 March 2017

National Assembly establishes the Ad Hoc Committee on the Funding of Political Parties to enquire into the funding of political parties represented in national and provincial legislatures.

Answering papers filed by DA

24 February 2017

Democratic Alliance files their answering papers.

Answering papers filed by Dept of Justice

9 February 2017

Minister of Justice and Correctional Services files their answering papers.

Notifcation of request for relief

8 February 2017

MVC writes to the Democratic Alliance and the Minister of Justice and Correctional Services indicating that we cannot wait any longer for the answering papers and will be approaching the High Court for appropriate relief.

Dept of Justice requests another extension

31 January 2017

MVC receives a letter from the Minister of Justice requesting a further extension to 07 February 2017 to file their answering papers.

DA requests extension

18 January 2017

MVC receives a letter from the Democratic Alliance requesting an extension until 03 February 2017 to file their answering papers.

Extension granted

9 January 2017

MVC writes to the Minister of Justice and Correctional Services agreeing to an extension to allow the Minister to file answering papers by 31 January 2017.

Extension requested

4 January 2017

MVC receives a letter from the Minister of Justice and Correctional Services requesting an extension until the ‘end of January’ 2017 to file their answering papers.

Reminder of due affidavits

3 January 2017

MVC writes to the lawyers representing the Democratic Alliance and the Minister of Justice and Correctional Services reminding them that their affidavits were due on 20 and 26 September 2016 respectively, and that should these not be received 17 January 2017 MVC approach the Court for appropriate relief.

Opposition

5 September 2016

Minister of Justice and Correctional Services files notice of intention to oppose.

Opposition

30 August 2016

Democratic Alliance files notice of intention to oppose.

MVC launched a high court application

28 July 2016

MVC launched application in WC High Court requesting PAIA to be declared unconstitutional and ineffective in accessing private political funding information.