In a multiparty democracy it's a different ballgame. Re Anglo - I have no idea if they donated to the NP. Their tax revenue / forex earnings certainly were key to the fiscus. Assuming they or a subsidiary did: In a repressive regime - ass covering much? If your every message is coded as support for the official opposition, and your functionaries meet with banned movements abroad - funding the ruling party is cynical and disingenuous. But expedient and good for shareholder returns.