Represented Political Parties Fund

The Political Party Funding Act (6 of 2018) repeals the Public Funding of Represented Political Parties Act (103 of 1997) but retains the Represented Political Parties Fund (RPPF) originally established in 1997.

The aim of the Fund is to provide funding for political parties represented in the national and provincial legislatures. Funds for the RPPF are provided annually from the National Revenue Fund and are distributed to political parties represented in the National Assembly or in any provincial legislature.

Disbursement of funds

The new Political Party Funding Act provides a new, more equitable formula for the disbursement of funds to represented political parties:

• 1/3 equal (33.3%): A third is allocated equitably to all parties that hold seats in the National Assembly or any provincial legislature.
• 2/3 proportional (66.6%): Two thirds allocated in proportion to seats held by a political party in the National Assembly or provincial legislatures.

The Commission may not take into account any money carried forward when it determines the allocation of money to a represented political party.

Allocation to a represented political party ends when the party ceases to have representation, i.e. a seat.

The Commission must pay the allocated amounts quarterly.

The use of RPPF funds

The money disbursed from the RPPF may be used by that represented political party for any purpose compatible with its functioning as a political party in a modern democracy including:

• the development of the political will of the people;
• bringing the political party’s influence to bear on the shaping of public opinion;
• inspiring and furthering political education;
• promoting active participation by individual citizens in political life;
• exercising an influence on political trends;
• ensuring continuous and vital links between the people and organs of state; and
• complying with the provisions of this Act.

The money may not be used by that represented political party:

• for the purpose of directly or indirectly paying any remuneration, fee, reward, perquisite or other benefit to any person;
• representing the party in any legislature at national or provincial level, or in a Municipal Council (i.e. MP, MPL or Councillor);
• who is appointed by or in the service of the state (i.e. public servant) and receives remuneration for that appointment or service;
• to finance or contribute, whether directly or indirectly, to any matter, cause, event or occasion, in contravention of any code of ethics binding on the members of Parliament or members of a provincial legislature;

• directly or indirectly for the purpose of establishing any business, or acquiring or maintaining:

  • any right of financial interest whatsoever in any business; or
  • in any immovable property, except where the right or interest in the immovable property is to be used by the party solely for party political purposes;
• to defray legal costs relating to internal political party disputes; or
• for a purpose as may be prescribed.