ConCourt confirms voters have the right to be informed on private political funding
21 June 2018
The Constitutional Court has confirmed a ruling by the Western Cape High Court which found that the Promotion of Access to Information Act (PAIA) was unconstitutional because it did not provide for the disclosure of information pertaining to the private funding that political parties receive.
"It is declared that information on private funding of political parties and independent candidates is essential for the effective exercise of the right to make political choices and to participate in the elections," Chief Justice Mogoeng Mogoeng said on Thursday morning.
"It is declared that information on private funding of political parties and independent candidates must be recorded, preserved and made reasonably accessible."
Mogoeng further ruled that Parliament must amend PAIA and "take any other measures it deems appropriate" to provide for this within a period on 18 months.