ANC to raise R9m in levies from MPS and ministers

THE ANC stands to pocket at least R9-million a year in monthly levies docked from the salaries of its 264 MPs, ministers and deputy ministers.

The ANC parliamentary caucus was informed by party bosses at Luthuli House last week that the levy would be increased from 1% to 3% of their monthly salary as soon as their incomes are increased later this year by the Independent Commission on the Remuneration of Public Office bearers, headed by Judge Willie Seriti.

ANC MPs who spoke to the Sunday Times said they believed the increase was aimed at helping their party raise money for the elections campaign. The party spent R100-million on the previous national election in 2009.

The ANC has been plagued by financial difficulties and media reports indicated in July that it reached an out-ofcourt settlement with an events management company it owed R11-million for organising its centenary celebrations last year.

The ANC’s 150 MPs each earn R74 000 a month, making a collective contribution of R330 000 a month, or R3.9-million a year, in levies.

The party will raise another R170 000 a month, or R2-million a year, in levies from its 34 ministers, who each earn a monthly salary of R167 000.

The 29 deputy ministers will jointly raise the ruling party’s bank balance by R1.4-million a year or R118 000 a month. A deputy minister earns R137 000 a month.

The 51 ANC MPs who chair portfolio committees earn R98 000 a month each and will jointly contribute R1.7-million a year.

“They are getting tough on raising funds as we go to elections,” said an ANC MP.

Another MP said: “If they do it, it will be good because the public will get to see that the ANC is not only sourcing money from companies.”

The Sunday Times reported last month that the ANC Youth League, which has a separate account from its mother body, was R50million in the red. Its leaders have admitted that this has made it difficult for it to campaign.

At its national conference in Mangaung in December, the ANC reported that it had raised R1.5-billion between 2008 and 2012 through fundraising projects, public representatives’ levies and membership fees. Comment on this: write to tellus@sundaytimes.co.za or SMS us at 33971

www.timeslive.co.za