Ramaphosa's fury: Says government budget underspending is treason

Blames poor planning and weak project management

- SIFISO MAHLANGU

PRESIDENT Cyril Ramaphosa has strongly criticised the persistent failure of government departments to fully use their allocated budgets, calling it a betrayal of the public trust.

Addressing members of the National Council of Provinces (NCOP) during a session in Cape Town, Ramaphosa did not mince words, describing this trend of underspending as nothing short of "treason" against the citizens of the country.

The president's comments came in response to a series of oral questions from members of the NCOP, with service delivery once again dominating the agenda.

Ramaphosa expressed deep frustration that, despite South Africa's many urgent needs, several provincial and municipal departments continue to return unspent funds to the National Treasury year after year.