For Creamer Media in Johannesburg, I’m Sane Dhlamini.

Making headlines: SA will soon know which parties are contesting the elections, Mabuza urges Hawks to 'move speedily' in the North West And, Maimane prepared to open DA's books to show transparency

SA will soon know which parties are contesting the elections

Shortly after the close of business today, South Africans will know which political parties will appear on their ballot papers.

The Electoral Commission of South Africa yesterday said that only those registered political parties which had paid their deposits and submitted candidate lists by 5pm today would be allowed to contest the national and provincial elections on May 8.

Parties have to pay a deposit of R200 000 for the national ballot and R45 000 for each provincial ballot which are refunded if parties win at least one seat in each legislature they contest, failing which, the money is forfeited to the National Revenue Fund.

Around 34 parties indicated their intention of contesting, according to the IEC.

Mabuza urges Hawks to 'move speedily' in the North West

Deputy president David Mabuza has urged law enforcement officials to "move speedily" when dealing with alleged impropriety and wrongdoing in the North West.

The deputy president said this in an oral reply to questions from members of Parliament.

He was asked whether reported divisions and instability within the leadership of the ANC, as recently highlighted by the ruling of the Gauteng High Court in the matter between the former premier of the North West, Supra Mahumapelo and the ANC, have an impact on the rolling out of public employment programmes and service delivery in general.

Maimane prepared to open DA's books to show transparency

Weeks before a new law comes into effect, prompting registered political parties to reveal their donor lists to the Electoral Commission of SA, DA leader Mmusi Maimane says the party is ready to share its books with journalists at their behest.

Speaking to journalists on the campaign trail in Tembisa, in the east of Johannesburg, Maimane said the DA would never "accept money from any business that in fact has been involved in corrupt dealings".

Maimane said when the law kicks in, the party would be ready to open its books.

According to the Party Funding Bill, a donation of less than R100 000 does not need to be declared and there is a cap of R15-million that one person can donate to a party per year.

That’s a roundup of news making headlines today

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