Heat on Ramaphosa to sign Political Party Funding Bill into law

CIVIC organisation My Vote Counts is pinning its hopes on the public pressure exerted on President Cyril Ramaphosa to sign into law the Political Party Funding Bill.

This happens as civil society groups have waged a campaign for Ramaphosa to assent to the bill. Even former public protector Thuli Madonsela two weeks ago entered the fray.

Yesterday, My Vote Counts spokesperson Sheilan Clarke said despite it being highly prerogative, they were optimistic Ramaphosa would come to the party.

“We are confident that he will sign by the end of November if there is a will about transparency,” Clarke said.

Clarke made the comments in the wake of Ramaphosa writing to National Assembly Speaker Baleka Mbete clarifying his previous response to a parliamentary question from DA leader Mmusi Maimane who had asked him about a payment made to his son, Andile.

He had told the National Assembly that Andile’s company has a contract with African Global Operations, formerly called Bosasa, for the provision of consultancy services.

In his letter to Mbete, Ramaphosa said he had been subsequently informed that the payment did not relate to that contract.

“The donation was made without my knowledge. I was not aware of the existence of the donation at the time that I answered the question in the National Assembly,” he wrote.

Ramaphosa confirmed that the R500 000 payment was money raised for his candidacy for the ANC presidency and was made on behalf of Bosasa’s Gavin Watson.

The saga came to light as Ramaphosa is expected to sign several bills, including the Political Party Funding Bill, which was passed in June.

Civil society has been pressurising the president to sign the bill well in advance of the 2019 general elections.

Ramaphosa’s spokesperson Khusela Diko said all efforts were being made to expedite the processing of these bills without compromising the obligation imposed on the president by the Constitution.

“President Ramaphosa is therefore assessing the legislation with a view to ensuring that their development – through consultation and drafting – is not vulnerable to legal challenge and that it is constitutionally compliant,” Diko said.

She also said Ramaphosa was mindful of the expectations of all sectors of society who participated in the development of this legislation and for whom implementation of these laws was an important component of addressing the societal and economic issues that gave rise to the legislative proposals.

“The president is applying his mind with urgency and thoroughness to enable the soonest feasible commencement of new dispensations in the respective sectors or areas of interest. The Presidency will apprise Parliament and the public as soon as the president decides on the bills,” Diko said.

The Political Party Funding Bill provides for establishment of two funds for represented parties, disclosure of donations and prohibition of certain donations made directly to parties.

It prohibits state institutions from making donations and as well as receipt of foreign funding.

The bill addresses itself to parties in Parliament and provincial legislatures.

It also does not specifically regulate fundraising by individuals for party leadership campaigns.

Clarke said they were aware of loopholes in the bill that needed to be addressed.

She said fixing the loopholes would have prolonged the parliamentary process. “Our priority has been the passing of the bill. Once signed into law, we will pursue the loopholes,” Clarke said.