The ANC has criticised Western Cape Premier Alan Winde’s administration for what it called dismissive and evasive conduct, following the failure to disclose a R51,000 reimbursement from the Under2 Coalition. 

The opposition party says the incident highlights the need for external oversight.

Speaking on behalf of the ANC caucus, opposition party leader Khalid Sayed condemned Winde’s administration for failing to disclose the reimbursement.

“The ANC caucus condemns the department of the Premier’s dismissive and evasive conduct during Friday’s Standing Committee deliberation on their adjustment budget, following their failure yet again to disclose the R51,000 payment received from the Under2 Coalition for the Premier’s trip to New York last year.”

Sayed said the reimbursement, received in April this year, falls within the current budget period. 

However, the department reportedly insisted it “did not need” to declare the payment.

“Yet, the donation does not appear in the revenue section of the Adjusted Estimates, nor in the legally required gifts and donations table,” he said.

The ANC leader said the omission raises serious concerns about transparency, compliance with Treasury regulations, and the integrity of the department’s financial reporting.

“Instead of taking the legislature into confidence, the department adopted an arrogant posture that undermines public trust and weakens the credibility of provincial governance,” Sayed said.

He defended the ANC’s decision to approach both the Registrar of Members’ Interests and the Public Protector.

“Friday’s responses confirm that external oversight is not only justified but essential to safeguard accountability in the Western Cape Government.”

“If a foreign-funded reimbursement can be omitted from the budget without explanation, the people of the Western Cape are entitled to ask: what else is being withheld or selectively disclosed? This pattern of behaviour reflects a growing disregard for the legislature’s oversight role and raises broader concerns about financial transparency within the premier’s administration.”

Sayed said the ANC will continue to use all mechanisms available to hold the Premier and his department accountable.

“No public office is above scrutiny, and the residents of this province deserve honest, transparent and responsible leadership.”

IOL News previously reported that this follows an earlier complaint to the Public Protector lodged by Sayed. 

At the time, he said the Premier had failed to disclose the R51,000 donation, which covered flights to attend Climate Week in New York in September last year.

Sayed emphasised that the issue is about compliance, not the donation itself.

“We don’t have a problem with him receiving this R51,000, but the rules of the legislature and the code of members’ ethics are very strict.”

He said the ANC initially took the matter to the legislature via a complaint to the registrar but escalated it because the Executive Members’ Ethics Code requires that alleged breaches be investigated and reported to the president.

“We are hopeful that they will be reported to the president and that the necessary sanction is imposed,” he said.

Sayed dismissed claims that the move was politically motivated.

“We aren’t doing this to play petty politics or score cheap political points against the DA or the Premier. This is to ensure transparency and accountability in the Western Cape.”

He challenged Winde’s position that disclosure in the annual report was sufficient.

“We saw that he had, indeed, disclosed it in the annual report, but that’s not really disclosure. The disclosure should have come before the end of April to the registrar in the Western Cape Provincial Legislature. From a process and transparency perspective, it’s completely wrong and we don’t accept his explanation.”

In response to media queries, Winde’s spokesperson, Regan Thaw, said nothing was concealed.

“The trip was duly disclosed in the Department of the Premier’s Annual Report. Nothing was concealed.”

Sayed said the unanswered questions about the reimbursement deepen concerns about financial transparency within Winde’s administration, reiterating that no public office is above scrutiny.

IOL Politics

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