The Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) has published the latest political party funding disclosures. The disclosures provide details into whom is financing South Africa's political parties ahead of the 2026 Local Government Elections.  In the first quarter of the 2026/27 financial year, four political parties declared a combined R116.8 million in donations. The Democratic Alliance (DA) accounted for approximately R104 million - nearly 89% of the total. By comparison, approximately R175 million was declared in private political donations across the entire 2025/26 financial year. My vote counts says these figures make it increasingly important to look beyond simply who donated and to ask what these donations tell us about political influence. The group is now calling  for stronger political funding disclosure.  For more Bongiwe Zwane spoke to Ramakwe Pule, Senior Project Coordinator for Money in Politics at My Vote Counts