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ANC spokesperson Mahlengi Bhengu has dismissed claims that the party’s financial collapse signals corruption, arguing instead that it highlights the organisation’s lack of resources.
Speaking on Tuesday on the sidelines of the ANC National General Council (NGC) in Boksburg, Bhengu said the party’s deteriorating books were evidence that it was not misusing state funds.
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“If the ANC was a corrupt party, not individuals, the ANC as an organisation, we would not be poor,” she told journalists. “We would be tapping into the resources of the state as a governing party. But we can’t, because it would be fraud. It would be illegal.”
Salary Delays Spark Unrest Among ANC Staff
Bhengu’s remarks came amid renewed tensions after ANC employees picketed outside the NGC on Monday, demanding overdue salaries. Some workers said their wages had been delayed multiple times, while others claimed they had not been paid at all.
She said most payments had since been processed, with remaining cases still being resolved.
Bhengu added that the organisation’s financial struggles made it difficult to sustain its operations while also defending its integrity in a political environment where governing parties are often accused of exploiting public money.
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“We’ve seen a number of political parties come into power and their headquarters expand overnight because they can access state resources,” she said.
“We can’t access the resources of the state. We have to work with what is legally applicable, and that is what we are doing.”
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Funding Act Adds More Pressure as NGC Probes Crisis
The ANC’s budget crisis was expected to form a key part of closed-door discussions at the NGC.
While the party broadcast its presidential political report live for the first time, the treasurer-general’s financial report — delivered by Gwen Ramokgopa on Monday — remained confidential. It is believed to outline the full extent of the party’s financial strain.
Bhengu also pointed to the Political Party Funding Act as a further challenge, saying its regulations had made fundraising more difficult. However, she stressed that the ANC would continue to comply with the law’s transparency and accountability requirements.
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