Hon Speaker, hon members, following the release of the Public Protector's report on allegations against the President, there has been much interest in the country about the funding and operations of, what I would call the CR17 campaign. [Interjections.] As I have already indicated, the Public Protector's report is currently under judicial review and our independent courts will make a determination in this regard.
Some people have used this opportunity - quite correctly in my view - to debate the issue of political funding. This is an important debate that needs to ensue in our country.
I have also initiated discussion within the political party that I lead. I initiated that discussion in the last national
executive committee, where I said that this whole matter has actually put forward a question that we need to address, as a political party.
However, others have a more sinister agenda, using leaked information selectively to undermine the positive changes that have been brought about in this country since the 54th national conference.
The CR17 campaign was a legitimate, forward-looking and necessary effort to promote the renewal of the governing party and broader society, and it was undertaken under difficult conditions. In its funding and its activities, there was no wrongdoing; let me repeat, no wrongdoing, no criminality and no abuse of public funds or resources. [Applause.] It is important that we note that.
Those who contributed to the campaign, whether as organisers, volunteers, members of the ANC, service providers or, indeed, as donors of one sort or another, including myself, did so out of a genuine concern for the future of the country.
If there were members of the executive who were part of the campaign and who were involved in fundraising, they did so as individual party members exercising their democratic and constitutional right. In this regard, let us be clear, they owe no apology for what they did. [Applause.]
What they did is a matter between themselves and their party, just as it is a matter between me, as President of the ANC, and my party. [Applause.] It is for that reason that I have initiated that discussion within the ANC.
As things currently stand, there are no rules or regulations in place for the disclosure of donations for internal party leadership contests. [Interjections.] I am not aware of that. Let me be clear, this matter is now before our courts. It is a matter that is going to be discussed by our courts, the extent to which, declarations or disclosures could have needed to be made for internal party-political campaigning. We will wait for the determination of the court in that regard. Once the court has declared, we will then be able to take the matter forward. I
am open enough to say that I want the court to make a determination on this matter.
There is not a provision for the disclosure of such information in the Executive Code of Ethics or in the Code of Ethical Conduct and Disclosure of Members' Interests for Assembly and Permanent Council Members.
I am sure that the hon Malema would agree that it would be unreasonable and potentially prejudicial to expect the disclosure of such information until such time that all candidates and all parties are held to the same requirements of disclosure and transparency. [Applause.]
The Political Party Funding Act, which I signed into law earlier this year, does regulate public and private funding of political parties and requires disclosure of donations accepted. While this Act does not extend to the funding of internal party leadership contests, this is perhaps the appropriate time for this House to consider whether it is necessary and desirable for funding of internal party contests to be disclosed and
regulated. This is the time because it is this House that must come up with solutions.
Do we want internal party-political contests from the governing party right through to the smallest party that is represented here to be regulated? Let us accept it, in political parties, there are contestations for leadership. Hon Malema may be contested by another member in the party and when they contest, ... [Interjections.] Yes, it can happen. I am not wishing that it should happen, but it can happen. Let us put it this way: Hon Shivambu is hon Malema's deputy. Heaven forbid, one day, it happens that hon Shivambu decides that he actually wants to contest the position of commander in chief, CIC, and he says that he is tired of being a deputy, and that he wants to contest. The same thing may happen to hon Maimane and it may even happen to me. So, when that happens, you then want to get resources so that you can topple the person at the head.
The question I would pose is: Do we want ... This House must discuss it. Do we want those contests that we could get engaged
in, to be regulated, so that there is disclosure of what hon Shivambu will raise as he contests the CIC ...