Johnathan Paoli
Opposition parties have expressed their doubts about the passing of the Second Adjustments Appropriation Bill through the National Assembly on Tuesday saying it was nothing more than an attempt by the ruling party to attain access to additional funds.
Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana made an announcement on Tuesday facilitating a legislative measure he tabled in February this year that allows for adjustments to the appropriation of money from the National Revenue Fund for the requirements of the State.
However, opposition parties have attempted to reject the Bill, claiming that the Bill was an effort by the ruling party to appropriate additional funds for its election campaign.
The crux of the matter, according to the opposition, was that in light of the change to the funding formula through the recently passed Electoral Matters Amendment Bill, the ANC stood to gain the most from these measures.
The FF+ contested the Bill and claimed that it was a predatory initiative by the ANC, in an attempted camouflage as a piece of legislation that would benefit all.
“There’s R200 million allocated to political parties, additionally allocated to political parties. For what? To save the ANC from bankruptcy while the people are suffering,” Wessels said.
DA MP Ashor Sarupen called on the ruling party to desist from attempting to use public funds for its own interests.
“If you can’t fundraise, stop stealing public money to pay for your elections. It’s not a good idea,” Sarupen said.
The ACDP expressed its intention to contest, with MP Steve Swart saying his party will challenge the change to the funding formula especially if these additional funds are allocated according to this split.
Political parties say they are still awaiting a R300 million allocation for this financial quarter to be disbursed, which they believe the ANC also wants allocated according to the new formula.
In addition, the Second Adjustments Appropriation Bill makes provision for R70 million to fund the operations of the minister of electricity, while another R80 million is allocated to the Department of International Relations and Cooperation to pay for last year’s BRICS summit.
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