Stop Graft to Save, State Told

Scopa Chair: 'Government Must Learn to Manage What It Already Has'

- Vhahangwele Nemakonde

The government must save money by eliminating maladministration and corruption, standing committee on public accounts (Scopa) chair Songezo Zibi says.

Parliament's chairs of the finance cluster committees briefed the media yesterday before the budget speech, which will be delivered tomorrow.

This comes amid disagreements among political parties on the VAT (value-added tax) increase, which saw the postponement of the speech last month.

The withdrawal of USAID funding for some programmes adds to the country's challenges as it means the government must find money to close the gap left by US President Donald Trump's executive order.

"The finance minister must find a solution that parliament can support. That solution will cost tens of billions of rands over the medium term and we cannot claim to be surprised when we must do this," said Zibi.