Political parties declared R97.2 million in donations between January and March 2026, with the Democratic Alliance taking the biggest share ahead of the local government elections.
The IEC’s latest disclosure report, covering the fourth quarter of the 2025/26 financial year, shows the DA declared R57.3 million. That is nearly 60% of all donations disclosed during the period.
The DA’s total included R54.9 million in cash donations and R2.4 million in in-kind support.
Major donors included Main Street 1564, Fynbos Ekwiteit, M. Slack and Fynbos Kapitaal. Each contributed between R10 million and R13 million.
The party also received R4 million from G. Ryan, R3 million from D. Barnes and R1.27 million from the Danish Liberal Democracy Programme.
IEC examines RISE Mzansi’s R30m
RISE Mzansi declared a R30 million donation from an entity called We Are The People.
The IEC is seeking further information because the amount came from the conversion of a previous loan into a donation, rather than a direct new contribution.
The commission has not alleged wrongdoing. It said the terms of the conversion must still be assessed for compliance with the Political Party Funding Act.
The declaration is one of the largest individual entries recorded since political funding disclosures became mandatory.
ActionSA receives nearly R10m
ActionSA declared R9.9 million in donations during the same period.
Its largest declared donations included R5 million from businessman Martin Moshal, R1 million from Siyaya Free to Air TV and R1 million from African Equity Corporation.
Party leader Herman Mashaba contributed about R2.9 million in cumulative donations.
ANC asked to explain declarations
The IEC also raised compliance issues involving several parties.
The ANC has been asked to account for donor declarations worth R770 000 that had not been acknowledged by the party when the report was published.
It also submitted late declarations totalling R10.5 million. These included R10 million from Botho Botho Commercial Enterprises and R501 230.21 from Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung.
The Alliance of Citizens for Change declared a R440 500 donation from founder Masizole Mnqasela nearly a year after receiving it. Build One South Africa declared an in-kind donation of R113 794.60 from Konrad Adenauer Stiftung.
Overall, parties declared R94.8 million in cash and R2.4 million in non-monetary support. President Cyril Ramaphosa has announced that the local government elections will take place on November 4.