20 June 2025
TO ALL MEDIA HOUSES
PRESS RELEASE
AL JAMA-AH clears up statement reported in News24 on its views on the IEC’s funding to political parties:
The statement reported by News24 that AL JAMA-AH’s leader, Hon M.G.E Hendricks who is also the Deputy Minister of Social Development, baselessly accused the IEC (Independent Electoral Commission) of propping up the big governing parties; this was not an attack on the ANC but its failure (on their part) to implement the requirement of ‘equity’ when it comes to party funding; no matter which party is governing.
The IEC is not toothless when it comes to policy matters. At the conclusion of the symposium, the IEC Deputy Chair stated that they will write a report which will include ‘policy propositions’; so, the position of the News24 report, with regards to the deputy chair’s statement, is questionable.
In Hendricks’ view, the IEC should have made a policy proposition and not to change the 66/33 equity proposition. “In fact, for the sake of the Constitution’s ‘equity aim’, it should have changed the formula to 50/50. Al Jama-ah hopes that the IEC will put forward this policy proposition,” says Hendricks.
Hendricks mentioned that he had other commitments other than the IEC symposium; he, thus, had to carefully weigh the options. Since the DM’s Ministry was well represented by the Department of Social Development’s Minister Sisisi Tolashe at the portfolio committee, he was contented. The DM and the Minister, for most of the year, were working six days of the week; and they had to often split up to meet respective diary requirements. He stressed that, “We can’t both be at the same meetings.”
Considering this, the DM chose to attend the IEC symposium; and by then, the IEC had paid for Hendrick’s flights, accommodation, meals and local transport upfront. He did not want to attract unnecessary IEC sanctions.
Issued by Asghar Khan on behalf of Al Jama-ah
For media enquiries contact: Nisa Hendricks
(Media and Marketing Manager)
Cell: 082 613 1917