On the brink of a budget: Will the GNU survive this test? We interview Dr Mmusi Maimane
“We need to get this budget through,” says Dr Mmusi Maimane, Chairperson of Parliament’s Standing Committee on Appropriations.
FILE: Build One South Africa (BOSA) leader Mmusi Maimane. Picture: Jacques Nelles/EWN
Bongani Bingwa's guest is BOSA leader and Chairperson of Parliament’s Standing Committee on Appropriations, Dr Mmusi Maimane.
Listen below:
It’s crunch time in Parliament today (Wednesday).
The ANC has been scrambling to get enough votes to pass the national budget today with the DA playing hardball.
The blue party has been refusing to support the Appropriations Bill or any budget tied to ANC ministers facing misconduct allegations, saying corruption shouldn’t be funded.
In a dramatic twist, President Ramaphosa fired Minister Nkabane, but is that enough to save the budget?
If this Appropriation Bill flops, it’s not just a political embarrassment; it could mean no money for schools, hospitals, or even salaries, explains Maimane.
"What South Africa can ill-afford is the public perception that a government cannot pass its budget..."
- Dr Mmusi Maimane, Chairperson - Parliament’s Standing Committee on Appropriations
Maimaine says now is an ideal time for South Africa to take a pause and acknowledge that what is desperately needed are crucial reforms and plans for growth.
"... let's table a budget ... that says how we keep them safe, keep the lights on, keep their kids educated and grow this economy."
- Dr Mmusi Maimane, Chairperson - Parliament’s Standing Committee on Appropriations
The Appropriation Bill requires a simple majority of members in the House to be passed.
However, National Assembly cannot pass the Appropriation Bill if any of the individual budgets for each department are rejected.
We need to get this budget through, says Maimane.
"The consequences are actually quite significant because, by the 1st August, spending goes down to 10% of all national departments... therefore we would have to tell South Africans which police we pay, which police stations we keep open."
- Dr Mmusi Maimane, Chairperson - Parliament’s Standing Committee on Appropriations
Scroll up to the audio player to listen to the interview.