Parliamentary meeting to adopt fiscal framework report delayed to find alternative venue

CAPE TOWN - There's been a delay to the start of Wednesday's parliamentary meeting, which is expected to adopt a report on the fiscal framework that underpins the budget.

Parliamentarians complained about the small venue and the inadequate seating for a joint meeting of two finance committees to consider the important report.

The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF)'s Omphile Maotwe also objected to the proceedings not being livestreamed after the last meeting on the fiscal framework for the now-aborted second version of the budget also had limited public access due to the small space.

"We can't rely on an audio recording. There are instances when you needed the visuals. The last budget tabled by Minister Godongwana, which landed in court, we needed to go and view what was happening. This is the most critical committee that deals with the Treasury of this country. No department will move beyond this point if this committee does not find each other."

However, Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana appealed for the meeting to continue after MPs bemoaned Treasury's absence at a precursory meeting on the report on Tuesday.

"Our understanding of the meeting yesterday was that's the period when the committee meets as a committee, and deliberates on the adoption of the report to be tabled in the National Assembly. Our absence must be understood in that context. I just wanted to clarify it was not deliberate."

The meeting has since resumed after a short adjournment to allow for an alternative venue to be found that will also allow for proceedings to be livestreamed.