In conclusion, it would appear that public funding of political parties is not per se objectionable. Objections tend to be directed against the unrestricted funding of political parties; bias towards the incumbent party (e.g. by imposing a high threshold for parties to qualify for funding); and the exclusion of small political parties, especially if they are not represented in the legislature. . 3.0. Prohibition of Foreign Funding of Political Parties The commonest practice worldwide where the funding of political parties is regulated is that foreign funding is prohibited. Where it is allowed, it is likely to be to be severely restricted and tightly monitored. States appear to view foreign funding of political parties as an interference with their sovereignty. Their concern therefore is to eliminate foreign influence in party politics in the country through the funding of political parties and thus influencing, and at times interfering with, politics in the country. In Zimbabwe, the Political Parties (Finances) Act [Chapter 2:11] of 2001 prohibits foreign donations to political parties or individual candidates. It is rather curious though that a foreign donation is defined in the Act to include a donation made by a non-resident Zimbabwean citizen, more so in view of the fact that non Zimbabwean citizens who have permanent residence status and are resident in Zimbabwe are entitled to donate to political parties24. Presumably this is because it would be easy for foreign countries, companies or individuals to channel donations to political parties in Zimbabwe through Zimbabweans resident abroad under the guise that it is the Zimbabweans who are making the donations. However, as observed by Coltart, many countries that prohibit foreign funding do not also prohibit their citizens who are resident abroad from funding political parties in their home countries25. The MDC is not only opposed to the prohibition of non resident Zimbabweans from funding political parties, but it is also opposed to the general prohibition of foreign funding, which it views as a measure designed to inhibit the development of opposition political parties. It has argued that Zimbabwe is ‘a fledgling democracy and has an extremely weak economy’, thereby making it 24 Section 2 of the Political Parties (Finance) Act defines a ‘foreign donation’ as a donation other than a local donation. A ‘local donation’ is defined as a donation by a permanent resident or citizen of Zimbabwe domiciled in Zimbabwe; a company incorporated in Zimbabwe which carries on business in Zimbabwe; or any association of persons, whether incorporated or unincorporated, consisting exclusively of permanent residents or citizens of Zimbabwe, domiciled in Zimbabwe. A ‘donation’ is defined as, in relation to a political party or candidate, any gift of money or property, subscription or affiliation fees, and money spent otherwise than by a political party or candidate to meet any expenses incurred by the party or candidate, and includes a loan, property or service provided to a political party or candidate otherwise than on commercial terms or below market valuation, and, in relation to a member of a political party, any aforementioned donation which is made for the purpose of securing the election of that member to any office in or for any purpose connected with the activities of that political party. 25 Coltart, op cit. 10