Calls mount for Parliament to make budgetary adjustments
Political parties and organisations have continued engaging Parliament on the budget, with many reiterating the call for more funds.
The giant dome is being used as a temporary chamber of the South African National Assembly in Cape Town, South Africa. Picture: Supplied/@ParliamentofRSA
CAPE TOWN - Parliament has received more calls to adjust the budget to accommodate vulnerable sectors like Basic Education that have been crippled by budget cuts.
The National Assembly (NA)’s standing committee on appropriations is holding public hearings on the 2025 division of revenue bill, which deals with the equitable division of revenue raised nationally among national, provincial and local government.
It follows a similar process to the fiscal framework and value-added tax (VAT) increase that the NA adopted on Wednesday.
Parties and organisations have continued engaging Parliament on the budget, with many reiterating the call for more funds.
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The Democratic Alliance (DA)’s Mathew Cuthbert reiterated the party's opposition to the budget and VAT increase.
He further offered suggestions on efficient spending by cutting waste on things like stationary and scaling down some departments.
“The spending efficiency gains amount to roughly R27.7 billion.”
Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU)’s spokesperson, Matthew Parks, says they want to see the DORA Bill respond to all the budget cuts over the years in key service areas.
“To respond to that especially to the budget cuts that have brutally crippled public services that workers businesses and society depend upon.”
The hearings continue before the National Treasury responds to each submission.