JOHANNESBURG - The Electoral Commission is engaging political parties about their funding declarations ahead of the local government elections.
It has released the latest party donation disclosures for the fourth quarter of 2025/26.
Only five parties filed their declarations on time; others submitted late.
Elections management expert Terry Tselane said it’s crucial for voters to know who is funding the parties they plan to support.
"We don't know at this stage why certain political parties should not declare on time. But as I've indicated, the fact that there is an avenue to try to seek clarity on that particular aspect is important.
"And I think the Commission obviously needs to be commended for having initiated a process of seeking clarity in relation to that.
"But in general, there is a need for political parties to understand the importance of having to declare their donations and also having to make sure that those donations are made on time.
"Because the Commission then has to disclose to the South African population how certain political parties or all the political parties are funded.
"And if they do not do so, the Commission would not actually be in a position to be able to make those disclosures. And then it means that as the electorate, we would not actually have an idea of who is actually funding those political parties, even as we move towards the elections.