Note to Editors: Please note Tim Brauteseth, MPL soundbite in English
The DA welcomes National Treasury’s confirmation that there will be no changes to KwaZulu-Natal’s (KZN) equitable share and conditional grant allocation for the 2025/26 financial year.
We further commend the efforts of KZN Finance MEC, Francois Rodgers, in securing this stability in funding.
While the unchanged budget allocation spells good news, the fact remains that, despite the protections of Section 29 of the PFMA, KZN’s budget remains in limbo until the national budget process is completed.
Section 29 allows KZN to draw funds from the National Revenue Fund to cover essential services – up to a limit of 45% of the previous budget amount. However, this will be a very real test as our province continues to face significant challenges, including rising service delivery demands, infrastructure backlogs, and the need for urgent economic growth initiatives.
It is clear that greater oversight and accountability in terms of budget allocations will be required. This, in order to prevent financial mismanagement and ensure that critical frontline sectors such as healthcare, education and social development receive adequate support.
The DA is confident that Provincial Treasury will – via its new eProcurement and live departmental financial dashboard measures – ensure that these funds are utilised efficiently, transparently and in a manner that prioritises the needs of our people.
As part of KZN’s Government of Provincial Unity (GPU), the DA remains committed to advocating for responsible financial governance and will continue to monitor KZN’s budget process to safeguard the interests of all KZN citizens.