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FILE | Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana.
Political parties in Parliament have expressed their wish lists, as Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana prepares to table the Medium-Term Budget Policy Statement (MTBPS)on Wednesday.
They are calling for stricter fiscal discipline and reform to restore confidence, as well as a budget that puts the needs of ordinary South Africans first.
The Medium-Term Budget Policy Statement comes at a time of weak economic growth, high unemployment, and rising fiscal pressure. Godongwana is facing a delicate balancing act of tightening expenditure while maintaining essential services.
The African National Congress (ANC) says the budget should focus on concrete projects to improve access to electricity, water, and jobs.
“Increasing access to affordable electricity through the revised integrated resource plan, and measures to ensure water security. We also expect the minister to outline initiatives to strengthen rail transport, ports and road infrastructure, investments that should create jobs for the youth, women and people above the age of 35,” says ANC MP Nonceba Gcaleka-Mazibuko.
The uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party says there’s little hope for change if government fails to confront the country’s deep structural problems.
“We must take control of the economy because it remains concentrated in the hands of the few. Government is not doing enough to reclaim the minerals of this country,” says MKP MP Des van Rooyen.
The Democratic Alliance (DA) says public trust in the state is at an all-time low, warning that corruption continues to undermine service delivery.
“Until we re-establish that trust and show that tax revenue is being spent responsibly, that we don’t have hospital looting or tender abuse, we must rebuild the machinery of the state to deliver services, infrastructure, and jobs,” says DA MP Dr Mark Burke.
The African Christian Democratic Party (ACDP) says South Africans are losing faith in how their taxes are being spent.
“Crucial reforms, including water infrastructure, municipal service delivery, and fighting crime and corruption are necessary for growth. Taxpayers are rightfully demanding value for every cent they pay, something they have not seen with ongoing looting and mismanagement,” says ACDP’s Steve Swart.
Build One SA (BOSA) says the success of the MTBPS will be judged by whether it balances fiscal discipline, economic growth, and the protection of essential public services.
“Success would be no tax, or hint towards no additional taxes and I think part of it is how well SARS has performed. Success will look like how we fund, particularly make an adjustment that looks at how do we fund for infrastructure to ensure that there is stimulus in the economy, and we look at better growth,” says BOSA leader Dr Mmusi Maimane.
Rise Mzansi says government must strengthen its financial position and ensure that the budget adjustments reflect input from Parliament.
“Adjustment to the earlier this year’s budget. You will recall that what happened is that MPs debate the budget, they make suggestions about reallocations to different areas. The minister is now supposed to present a reformed budget in line with those suggestions,” says Songezo Zibi, Rise Mzansi leader.
Labour has also weighed in, calling for concrete action to protect workers and struggling industries.
“There needs to be additional measure to intervene. To provide a list of struggling businesses and economic sectors and workers. These need to come in a form of tax rebates, industrial subsidies and fixing the Unemployment Insurance Fund is key. We need to make sure positive infrastructure allocations can be expedited, additional support be given to Eskom, Transnet to Metrorail, to other SOEs which are key to unlocking the economy,” says Matthew Parks, COSATU Parliamentary Coordinator.
Expectations remain high that Godongwana will deliver a statement that restores confidence, drives growth, and tackles corruption.
