Who is this donor?
DR MARK JOHN BURKE
Public figure, Politics; financial technology
- The DAAs declared to the IEC
R404 000 in total
July 2025 to March 2026
This donor gave the DA 3 donations worth R404 000, as declared to the (IEC The Electoral Commission of South Africa. It runs elections. It is independent, so it does not take orders from the government or any party.). They were made between July 2025 and March 2026.
In April 2026 he was elected to chair the DA's federal finance committee, EWN reported. He founded Kastelo, a fintech company, which means a company that uses technology for money services. The Sunday Times reported in August 2026 that the Reserve Bank is investigating Kastelo. Kastelo denied the allegations, and Burke denied any wrongdoing.
What did the parties declare?
Every donation the DA told the (IEC The Electoral Commission of South Africa. It runs elections. It is independent, so it does not take orders from the government or any party.) about, as the IEC published it, newest first. Cash and (Goods or services Things given to a party instead of cash. Examples are paying its bills, lending it things to use, or paying for a venue or staff.) are shown apart.
January to March 2026
- Cash
- R101 000
- Goods or services
- None
Declared late, or once the donor's total for the year passed the limit
October to December 2025
- Cash
- R202 000
- Goods or services
- None
July to September 2025
- Cash
- R101 000
- Goods or services
- None
Declared late, or once the donor's total for the year passed the limit
What has been reported?
TimesLIVE19 August 2026
TimesLIVE reported on 19 August 2026 that Burke denied any wrongdoing. He stepped back from (Parliament South Africa's national law-makers, in Cape Town. It has two parts, the National Assembly and the National Council of Provinces.) finance committee, but stayed an (MP (Member of Parliament) A person who sits in Parliament, which makes South Africa's laws. They are not chosen in this local election.).
Read the report ↗Sunday Times18 August 2026
The Sunday Times reported that the Reserve Bank is investigating Kastelo over about R4 billion in transfers. They allegedly get around exchange-control rules, which limit moving money into and out of South Africa. Kastelo denied the allegations, and no court has ruled on them.
Read the report ↗Sunday Times18 August 2026
The same report said Kastelo is in a legal fight with the Reserve Bank. The Reserve Bank had moved to freeze some Kastelo money held at Access Bank. We found no later report on where the case stands.
Read the report ↗Sunday Times18 August 2026
The report said DA leader Geordin Hill-Lewis stood by Burke. He said no one had made allegations of wrongdoing against Burke himself, and that Burke no longer chairs Kastelo.
Read the report ↗EWN13 April 2026
EWN reported on 13 April 2026 that Burke had been elected chairperson of the DA's Federal Finance Committee.
Read the report ↗Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC)27 February 2026
The (IEC The Electoral Commission of South Africa. It runs elections. It is independent, so it does not take orders from the government or any party.) reports for October 2025 to March 2026 list a DA donor as "DR MJ BURKE". We treat this as the same donor because the title, initials, surname, (Party A group of people who stand for election together, with shared plans.) and year match.
Read the report ↗Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC)28 November 2025
The IEC's July to September 2025 report lists this DA donor as "DR MARK JOHN BURKE".
Read the report ↗
Tap a year to see its reports.