The GOOD Party has announced its intention to appeal an Electoral Court judgment which found the party and its leadership in breach of the Political Party Funding Act.

The court ordered the party and its secretary-general Brett Herron to pay a combined fine of R90 000 for failing to comply with national electoral funding regulations.

The court judgment found that ahead of the 2021 Municipal Elections the GOOD Party, during August and September of that year, bought T-shirts and other political marketing material from Kairos Communications for R1 972 365.

A further R900 000 was paid to Kairos Communications by Electrox Properties, apparently as a donor, on behalf of the GOOD Party.

The Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) argued that the R900 000 donation was not disclosed by the GOOD Party and did not reflect in the party’s annual financial statements for the relevant financial period.

“The GOOD Party simply did not account for this gratuitous donation to it from Electrox Properties,” the court judgment read.

In response to the ruling, Herron defended the party’s financial practices. He emphasised that the GOOD Party operates on a “modest budget” and “scrupulously adheres” to all legal requirements.

Herron criticised the court's process and the source of the initial complaint, accusing the Electoral Court of reaching its judgment without hearing argument or evidence.

He believes the ruling relies on the “fabrications of a disgruntled former official” who he says was expelled for pocketing party donations.

Internal legal counsel believes the court erred in several respects, directly impacting the outcome of the judgment.

DA member Shaun August revealed himself as the whistleblower who initiated the IEC investigation.

August, a former member of the GOOD party, stated that his suspicions grew under the leadership of Herron and party leader Patricia de Lille.

August welcomed the court's decision, stating that hiding political funding is a serious offence in South Africa.