06 Aug 2026

The Political Funding Act, passed by Parliament and assented to on October 8, 2024, has not yet to commenced because of financial constraints facing government.

Responding to questions in Parliament on Tuesday, Minister for State President, Defence and Security, Mr Moeti Mohwasa, said the law provided for the regulation and funding of political parties by government, but cannot be implemented until a commencement order and accompanying regulations were issued.

Mr Mohwasa said although a funding framework existed in statute, there was currently no binding legal obligation for parties to disclose donors, no defined donation ceilings and no enforcement or penalty regime in place.

“Transparency measures are therefore operating on a voluntary goodwill basis rather than a legal one,” he said.

The minister clarified that no law currently regulated donations to political parties from private entities and individuals. He noted that once the Act commenced, it will only govern funds disbursed by government to qualifying parties.

He added that ministers, MPs and councilors were still required at an individual level to declare all assets, including donations received, to the Directorate of Ethics and Integrity under the Declaration of Assets and Liabilities Act. 

Candidates are also required to submit election expenses to the Independent Electoral Commission, whether successful or not.

Under the Political Funding Act, the IEC will be responsible for the disbursement, monitoring, auditing and enforcement of compliance in relation to government funding. Accounts of every qualifying political party will also be audited annually by the Auditor General or an appointed auditor and submitted to the IEC and tabled in the National Assembly.

Mr Mohwasa said his ministry was exploring legislation to govern the formation, registration and management of political parties. The proposed Political Parties Act would set rules on registration, membership and financial transparency, including permissible and prohibited funding sources.

He said the new law would address current fragmentation, where parties  were registered with the Registrar of Societies while government funding is covered under the 2024 Act.

The Act will be administered by the IEC.

The minister was responding to Moshupa/Manyana MP, Mr Karabo Gare, who asked for an update on the Act and steps taken to regulate, disclose and administer party funding.

Mr Gare also asked about challenges in ensuring transparency, laws governing donations to parties and politicians, institutions mandated to monitor and audit compliance and penalties for non-compliance, late disclosure or anonymous donations.

Mr Mohwasa said public disclosure mechanisms and penalties would only take effect once the Act and its regulations are brought into force. ENDS