How Budget 2025-26 could reshape service delivery and accountability

ANALYSTS have emphasised the need for the National Treasury to allocate more resources toward improving service delivery, complemented by stronger accountability measures to ensure efficiency and transparency as the finance minister prepares to present the '3.0 Budget' for the 2025-26 financial year.

- THABO MAKWAKWA

Among other things, the Budget will focus on addressing the R75 billion shortfall.

Kabelo Moutloatse, a tax accounting specialist at Latita Africa, expressed concern over possible adjustments to business taxes in the revised Budget.

"Any increase in business taxes could undermine foreign investment confidence and reduce the return on investment," he explained.

He said businesses might raise prices or cut costs to protect profits.

He argued that increasing prices could lead to decreased consumer spending over time, affecting overall turnover.

"Conversely, cost-cutting measures - such as layoffs - could result in job losses, especially for low-income workers. These potential outcomes highlight the importance of carefully balancing fiscal policy to support economic growth and employment."