Parly denies money wasted

BUDGET SPEECH CANCELLATION: MK PARTY ASKS AG TO PROBE 'SQUANDERING OF MILLIONS'

- Itumeleng Mafisa

Parliament did not waste money on Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana's first attempt to deliver the budget speech last month, its spokesperson says.

This comes after the uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) party wrote to the auditor-general (AG) requesting an investigation into wasteful expenditure related to the cancellation of the budget speech.

MK party spokesperson Nhlamulo Ndhlela claimed millions of rands were squandered on logistics, security, printing, travel, consultants and media arrangements for a budget speech that was ultimately abandoned.

The party wants the AG to investigate the cost of the delay.

The AG's office on Wednesday confirmed that it had received the request and said it would study its merits.