Spend, spend and spend – DA

ALLOCATIONS: PARTY SAYS IT WAS NEVER CONSULTED ON GAUTENG'S R570BN BUDGET

- Brian Sokutu

The DA might vote against Gauteng’s provincial revenue and spending plan of a whopping over R570 billion, the party said yesterday.

The party said it had not been consulted on the province’s budget, "despite the ANC not having won by a majority in the Gauteng".

While painting a picture of a province faced with a myriad challenges, Gauteng finance and economic development MEC Lebogang Maile yesterday tabled a R527.2 billion 2025-26 budget.

This is despite conceding to liquidity pressures, declining revenue, mounting debt obligations and an unsustainable wage bill – warning of a net cash balance he said would turn negative during the current financial year, largely due to the E-Toll debt persistent accruals, among biggest financial holes.

In presenting budget allocations, Maile said the Office of the Premier would receive R1.5 billion in the 2025-26 financial year and R4.6 billion over the medium-term expenditure framework (MTEF).

He said this would enable it to lead the Gauteng government in implementing the 2024 to 2029 Gauteng medium-term development plan (GMTDP), "as well as combating crime, boosting economic growth, ensuring energy stability, investing in education and skills development".

DA Gauteng shadow MEC for finance Ruhan Robinson: "Should it be found that the budget does not suit service delivery needs or perpetuates the same problems, we will not support it.