Another Day, Another Court Battle: ANC Sued for R20 Million Over Unpaid Campaign Bills

The ANC’s financial storm clouds are refusing to clear. Just months after struggling to pay its own staff and battling frozen bank accounts over historic debts, South Africa’s oldest political party is now being taken to court for more than R20 million in unpaid election campaign work.

That’s not a typo, R20,878,220.22, to be exact.

This time, the fight comes from Sisonke Consortium and O’Brian Digital, companies behind the ANC’s 2024 general election communications campaign, who say they’ve waited long enough for their money. With the party allegedly missing the deadline to defend the matter, the consortium is now pushing for a default judgment essentially asking the court to rule in their favour because the ANC did not show up to fight.

A Contract Worth Millions and a Bill Still Outstanding

According to court papers filed in the Johannesburg High Court, the companies began legal proceedings on 14 August after months of chasing payment. The ANC was formally served papers on 26 August at Luthuli House, giving it ten days to respond.

The deadline came and went.
No response. No defence filed.

Now the consortium wants the court to enforce payment with interest, 11% from the date the debt became due, plus legal costs at the highest tariff scale (Scale C).

The dispute stems from a R70 million contract tied to the ANC’s election messaging and campaign roll-out. The companies claim they delivered every service required, operating under a deal with monthly invoices of at least R3 million from August 2023 to May 2024.

They say the ANC managed to pay R50 million, but never cleared the remaining R20 million-plus balance.

One director, Mxolisi Tyawa, noted in an affidavit that the matter has dragged on for over 18 months without resolution. Insiders insist the work was awarded via a public tender, pushing back against whispers of politically connected deals.

“The fallout has now escalated into a full-blown legal confrontation, months ahead of the local government elections next year,”
a source close to the matter

Financial Troubles Pile Up and South Africans Are Losing Patience

This case lands at a tough moment for the ANC, still fresh off its historic electoral decline to 40.2% support its first time below majority rule since 1994.

On social media, reactions have ranged from disbelief to dark humour:

“How do you run a country if you can’t run your accounts?”
“Next election slogan: Vote ANC we’ll pay you later.”
“Campaign team still waiting for payment? Yoh.”

But beyond the memes lies a more serious question: Is the ANC facing a structural cash crisis?

Just in October, the party withdrew a court bid to unfreeze its bank accounts after reaching a settlement over R85 million owed to Ezulweni Investments for campaign printing. That saga had already damaged the party’s credibility, banks got involved, accounts were attached, and salaries were delayed.

Now another multimillion-rand bill sits unpaid.

For a movement built on struggle history and sacrifice, the optics are rough. For ordinary staff, vendors and service providers, the consequences are real.

No Comment From the ANC, Yet

ANC spokesperson Mahlengi Bhengu-Motsiri had not responded to media queries at the time of publishing, leaving many waiting for clarity on whether the party plans to dispute the claim or settle it quietly.

Meanwhile, Sisonke and O’Brian Digital want the court to act and fast.

If granted, a default judgment could open the door to asset attachment or enforcement measures should payment not follow.

A Bigger Story Than Just One Lawsuit

This isn’t only about unpaid invoices, it speaks to a party grappling with shrinking donor confidence, new funding disclosure laws, and the financial weight of major election campaigns.

Money problems aren’t new in politics, but for a governing party, the stakes are far higher. Especially with local government elections looming next year.

The question hanging in the air is simple:

How long can the ANC keep the lights on at Luthuli House if its bills keep becoming court matters?

{Source: The Citizen}

Follow Joburg ETC on Facebook, Twitter , TikTok and Instagram

For more News in Johannesburg, visit joburgetc.com