OPEN LETTER TO THE HONOURABLE AMOS MASONDO
Dear Honourable Amos Masondo,
We note that in the interviews for Public Protector on Thursday 11 August, you addressed a number of questions to Kaajal Ramjathan-Keogh, executive director of the Southern African Litigation Centre (SALC), regarding the sources of the SALC's funding.
These questions were answered excellently by Ms Ramjathan-Keogh within the scope of the Public Protector interview process before the committee. The information is also provided on the organisation's website, SALC.org.
In the past, political leaders have raised this issue in an attempt to discredit civil society organisations, committed to the struggle for social justice, that are critical of government and other power structures in the private sector. The fact is that civil society organisations disclose information about their funding and finances, but political parties, with rare exception, do not. The My Vote Counts campaign has been forced to go to court in recent weeks because none of the major political parties are willing to disclose the sources of their private funding (including your party, the ANC).
As an MP you represent a political party that has consistently refused to disclose its funders. This is despite the fact that political parties in South Africa play a vital role in the functioning of South Africa’s democratic processes. We therefore request that you answer the same kind of questions asked of Ms Ramjathan-Keogh:
Who are the funders of your organisation?
Who are the funders of those funders?
Are any of the funders of your organisations foreign governments? If so, kindly indicate the names of the governments.
Are any of the funders of your organisations foreign private corporations or individuals? If so, kindly indicate the names of these corporations or their agents.
Since there is no regulation of political party funding, and political parties may be receiving funding from foreign governments, is your organisation foreign-controlled and foreign-run?
We respectfully suggest that you focus your attention on convincing your colleagues in Parliament to do the right thing and limit the influence that money has on our politics. We are sure that you will agree that the voters that elected you should count more than the rich who funded your election campaign?
Yours Sincerely,
Janine L. Ogle
National Coordinator: My Vote Counts
CC:
Chair of the Ad Hoc Committee for the Appointment of the Public Protector
Honourable Dr Makhosi Busisiwe Khoza, Per email
And to:
Members of the Ad Hoc Committee on Appointment of Public Protector
Adv. Bongani Thomas Bongo, Per email
Mr Nkosiyakhe Amos Masondo, Per email
Mr Nicolaas Jacobus Janse Van Rensburg Koornhof, Per email
Ms Grace Kekulu Tseke, Per email
Ms Madipoane Refiloe Moremadi Mothapo, Per email
Dr Patrick Maesela, Per email
Adv. Glynnis Breytenbach, Per email
Ms Phumzile Thelma Van Damme, Per email
Mr James Selfe, Per email
Mr Werner Horn, Per email
Issued by My Vote Counts, 13 August 2016
