African National Congress accounts frozen following legal dispute policy

The ruling African National Congress party in South Africa is facing a renewed financial crisis after its bank accounts were frozen against the backdrop of a long-term legal dispute related to unpaid debts, in a development that raises questions about its ability to manage its financial and political affairs.

The Gauteng High Court issued an order to temporarily freeze the party’s bank accounts until the case is decided.

The roots of the crisis go back to a dispute with a company that years ago printed posters and propaganda materials for the party during election campaigns.

The company says that it did not receive its dues amounting to about 85 million rand (equivalent to more than 4 million dollars), which prompted it to resort to the judiciary.

There has been no official comment from the leadership of the National Congress yet, while sources within the party confirmed that the crisis is “legal and technical” and work is being done to resolve it through judicial channels.

Political repercussions

This development comes at a sensitive time, weeks before the start of the local elections, which raises questions about the party’s ability to finance its election campaigns and organize its mass events.

It also highlights the financial challenges the party faces since losing its parliamentary majority in the 2024 elections.

Observers believe that the crisis reveals the fragility of the financial structure of the party that has led the country since the end of the apartheid regime.

This is not the first time that the African National Congress has faced accusations of financial mismanagement, as it has previously suffered from delayed payment of salaries to its employees and disputes with service providers.

Experts believe that the continuation of these crises may affect his image before voters, at a time when political competition is increasing in the country.

The party suffers from a huge funding gap estimated at more than $3 billion, according to budget reports for 2025.