NCOP will consider & adopt Appropriation Bill to finally put 2025 budget to rest

CAPE TOWN - The National Council of Provinces (NCOP) will on Wednesday morning consider and adopt the Appropriation Bill to finally put the 2025 budget to rest.

The Appropriation Bill was adopted by the National Assembly last week after months of delays due to disagreements in the Government of National Unity (GNU), which included court challenges by the Democratic Alliance (DA) and the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF).

The NCOP will also consider and adopt the Eskom Debt Relief Amendment Bill, which amends the original Eskom Debt Relief Act to introduce interest payments on loans provided to Eskom.

As is the case with all money bills accompanying the budget, the NCOP also has to approve them to pave the way for the finalisation of the budget process.

The Appropriation Bill provides for the apportioning of funds from the National Revenue Fund for the 2025/26 financial year.

This includes transfers to provinces and municipalities through conditional grants, equitable shares and other funding methods.

Select Committee on Appropriations chairperson Tidimalo Legwase said on Tuesday that this was one of the longest terms due to the lengthy budget process.

“Colleagues, this also marks the final and official sitting of the committee, which will be one of our last, one of the very longest second term of the 2025 parliamentary programme.”

Once the NCOP adopts the Appropriation Bill, departments will receive their full allocations to implement their various programmes.