IFP Shocked By ANC's New Funding Scheme

MEDIA STATEMENT RELEASED BY:
MS SYBIL SEATON MP
IFP DEPUTY CHIEF WHIP

February 16, 2007

The Inkatha Freedom Party's Deputy Chief Whip, Ms Sybil Seaton MP, today responded with shock and outrage to a Sunday Times article reporting on the ANC's new fundraising scheme, which allows businesses to buy access to government information and ANC policymakers.

"It is absolutely ridiculous and shocking. Members of Parliament and politicians are elected to serve the people of South Africa and therefore the ANC cannot charge for this service. It should not be allowed and it's immoral," said Ms Seaton.

"This is just another clear indication of how the ruling-party goes about manipulating and misusing their powers. Selling access to senior public representatives and public servants is outrageous, to say the least.

"The IFP supports the call of the Institute for Democracy in South Africa for regulation of party funding. There is a broad consensus across political parties that there is a need to regulate private party funding. Regulation should cover as wide a definition of donation as possible, in order to close as many potential loopholes as possible.

"Unless we adopt a more transparent approach, the current absence of a regulatory framework will allow for unethical funding schemes, such as the one currently being run by the ANC," concluded Ms Seaton.


FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Mrs Sybil Seaton MP: 083 412 0075
Liezl van der Merwe: 083 611 7470