The United Democratic Movement (UDM) welcomed Wednesday’s ruling of the High Court in Cape Town which ordered that Parliament change legislation to compel political parties to disclose who their private funders were.

“The UDM has long agitated for the review of party funding legislation to eliminate the trend of selling the country to the highest bidder,” said UDM leader Bantu Holomisa.

“#GuptaLeaks have shown palpable evidence, that the South Africa’s political dispensation is vulnerable to manipulation by individuals, groups and companies for nefarious and very selfish goals.”

Judge Shenaz Meer’s ruling, which still has to be confirmed by the Constitutional Court, means Parliament would have 18 months to amend the Promotion of Access to Information Act (Paia) which was found to be inconsistent with the Constitution.

The judgement came as an ad hoc committee of Parliament was reviewing the funding of political parties.