Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana is set to present his latest fiscal policy framework to a joint sitting of Parliament’s finance and appropriations committees today, urging support from all political parties to adopt the plan.
Speaking ahead of the session, Godongwana acknowledged that two previous failed attempts had served as a “learning curve” for his office, the government of national unity, and Parliament. The minister is hoping to secure backing for his budget proposals, which include measures to curb wasteful expenditure and tackle corruption in the public sector.
Political Reactions and Key Concerns
The debate is expected to be heated, with opposition parties already voicing their positions. The MK Party has called for a wealth tax and a motion of censure against Godongwana, while the EFF has vowed to challenge any policies they perceive as detrimental to the poor.
During his budget speech, Godongwana highlighted that 61 cents of every rand (excluding interest repayments) goes toward the social wage bill, including grant increases. Old age, disability, and war veterans’ grants will rise by R130, while the Social Relief of Distress (SRD) grant—introduced during COVID-19—will continue for another year before being phased out.
Crackdown on Corruption and Ghost Workers
A major focus of the budget is eliminating “ghost workers” from the public payroll. A National Treasury review of R300 billion in expenditures uncovered individuals as old as 103 years still listed as employees, with potential savings of R37.5 billion if these fraudulent entries are removed.
Godongwana emphasized that technology, rather than manual audits, will be key to addressing the issue. “We are quite confident that we will make more inroads by the end of the year,” he stated.
Live Updates from Parliament
Journalist Vilen Kirtley, reporting live from Cape Town’s Good Hope Chamber, noted that while the session had yet to begin, DA and EFF members were already present, signaling a contentious debate ahead.
With the finance minister expected to address Parliament later today, all eyes remain on whether his proposals will gain the necessary political support—or face further resistance from opposition parties.