Gauteng govt eyeing alternative ways to raise revenue to cover R6bn budget shortfall

JOHANNESBURG - To cover a R6 billion shortfall in its budget, the Gauteng government is assessing alternative ways to raise its revenue.  

In the next financial year, the provincial government said the National Treasury will cut its equitable share allocation.  

This is due to the province’s decline in the national population share.  

At a media briefing on Tuesday, the Gauteng government stressed it was not on the verge of bankruptcy, as reported in some media outlets.  

The provincial government said it is aware of the financial constraints it faces.

Gauteng Treasury head Ncumisa Mnyani said one of the ways it can increase its revenue is by pursuing its debtors.  

“There are new sources [of income] that we are also exploring. We will discuss with you later on once they have been approved by Exco [Executive Committee] by looking at our own assets as government and what we can do to leverage those. Also looking at donor funding and how we can be able to access some of those.”  

The Gauteng government makes most of its money through vehicle licence and disc services and gambling and liquor licences.