One of the generous donors who recently gave money to the ANC scored a R31m three-year contract from the Eastern Cape department of public works to provide security services at various government buildings.
Tyelovuyo Buhlungu, who gave the party R100,000 in April, insists he is not affiliated to the ANC - but party insiders say he has close ties to ANC leaders in the Eastern Cape.
Buhlungu's donation is likely to raise questions about his relationship with the ANC and whether he wins tenders as a quid pro quo for his financial support.
Buhlungu, who was born in Tsolo in the Eastern Cape, denied there was anything untoward about his donation to the ANC.
"I was approached by my local municipality in the Eastern Cape who pleaded for the donation and explained the party's state of affairs," he told the Sunday Times.
"I was really touched to hear that they were struggling so much; more so, these are not just people but they are parents, they have bills to be paid. So I thought let me lnd a helping hand, because that is really heart-breaking to see and I felt it was the right thing to do.
"No, I am not affiliated with the party. I would have helped even if it was any other political party provided I had the financial strength," Buhlungu said.
He is one of the individuals and companies who have donated a total of R10.7m to the governing party since the Political Party Funding Act (PPFA) came into effect, compelling parties to declare donations of more than R100,000.
Another ANC donor who has done business with the state is Muzi Ntombela, the brother-in-law of higher education minister Blade Nzimande.
Ntombela has had printing contracts with the KwaZulu-Natal government, the KwaZulu-Natal legislature, the University of Zululand and the Mangosuthu University of Technology. Attempts to reach Ntombela failed.
I was really touched to hear that they were struggling so much; more so, these are not just people but they are parents, they have bills to be paid. So I thought let me lnd a helping hand, because that is really heart-breaking to see and I felt it was the right thing to do
— Tyelovuyo Buhlungu
Another ANC benefactor, businessman Nceba Nonkwelo, said he donated R2m after hearing "embarrassing statements about the ANC's financial affairs, including employees not getting paid".
"So when the treasurer-general and the business forum pleaded with business people to assist, I think it spoke to me."
He said he does not do business with the state.
In 2014 Buhlungu's company, Tyeks Security Services, was plunged into controversy when its industry competitors protested at a decision by the Eastern Cape department of health to award contracts worth R500m to Tyeks and one other security company.
"He can say whatever he wants, but the truth is that he supports the party, and some politicians," said an Eastern Cape government official.
Another source with knowledge of the internal workings of the ANC in the province said: "He has upset quite a number of businessmen because of his proximity to important politicians … and he is quite wealthy."
The party also received millions from companies linked to Chancellor House Holdings, such as United Manganese of Kalahari (UMK) - which gave R5m - and Majestic Silver Trading 40.
Chancellor House has long been seen as an ANC front, but its MD, Mogopodi Mokoena, denied any links with the party.
"We donate to any organisation if we believe it is for a just cause, and in this instance because it will help strengthen our democratic systems," Mokoena said.
"UMK is not affiliated to the ANC. The donation was done within the prescripts of the PPFA and accordingly declared . in terms of section 9(2) of the PPFA."
Only the ANC, the DA and Herman Mashaba's ActionSA have declared donations.
The DA declared just under R16m. Its biggest funder was Mary Slack, the daughter of Harry Oppenheimer, who gave the party R15m in May.
Other DA funders include the Friedrich Naumann Foundation and the Danish Liberal Democracy Programme.
ActionSA's biggest donation came from Martin Moshal, a Durban-born entrepreneur and philanthropist, who gave it R2.5m in June. Mashaba's hair products company Black Like Me also donated to the party.
Narend Singh, treasurer-general of the IFP, said the party did not receive any donations above the threshold. The IFP did not need donations because it had its own resources, but might start raising funds ahead of the coming elections.
Bantu Holomisa, leader of the UDM, said the party had received no donations. "There really was nothing to declare. I have not fundraised since 2019, and perhaps this is one of weaknesses of the UDM."
Pieter Groenewald of the FF+ and the Rev Kenneth Meshoe of the ACDP said their parties did not receive any donations above the threshold.
EFF leader Julius Malema said the party did not get donations. It relied on the subsidies parties receive from parliament and the Electoral Commission and on levies paid by its public representatives.
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