8 – 10 October 2007 The Forum, Bryanston, Johannesburg Democracy & Party Political Funding: Pursuing the Public’s Right to Know The Next Phase PARTY FUNDING COURT CASE BRIEFING BY IDASA Paper delivered at the Multi-Stakeholder Conference: Reflections on the State of Electoral Democracy in South Africa Conference Secretariat: Tel: +27 12 428-5700 • Fax: +27 12 428-5216 Email:
[email protected] • Website: www.elections.org.za 2 The High Court Case and Appeal On 20 April 2005, the Cape High Court gave judgment, dismissing Idasa’s application to access records of private donations made to the four biggest political parties in South Africa – the ANC, the DA, the IFP and the NNP – under the Promotion of Access to Information Act 2000. Recognising however that the litigation was brought in the public interest and the importance of the principles of transparency and openness which are at stake, Justice Griesel made no order as to costs. As we said when we launched the application in November 2003, this was difficult and bold litigation, particularly given the inherent limitations of relying on the Promotion of Access to Information Act. We therefore respect the judgment of the court as both reasonable and balanced, though we believe that a more imaginative and creative Court would have adopted a wider interpretation of the section 19 right to free political choice. Justice Griesel found that access to records of private donations was not reasonably required for the exercise and protection of the section 19 right to free political choice, including the right to free and fair elections.