Note to Editors: Please note Tim Brauteseth, MPL sound bite in English
The DA welcomes the launch of the Provincial Financial Recovery Plan (PFRP) as a bold and necessary step to restoring fiscal stability and protecting essential service delivery for the people of KwaZulu-Natal (KZN).
As a committed partner within the Government of Provincial Unity (GPU), we commend Premier, Thami Ntuli, for backing this initiative and giving his full support to Finance MEC, Francois Rodgers, and his dedicated Provincial Treasury team. Their leadership has produced a clear roadmap to tackle KZN’s R10billion supplier debt, along with years of financial strain caused by deep budget cuts and rising costs.
The plan aims to save R1.5billion annually through tighter cost controls, smarter spending and improved efficiency. Importantly, it also focuses on frontline provincial government departments such as Education, Health, and Social Development – which touch the lives of millions of KZN’s people.
From repairing schools and hospitals to ensuring timely payments for non-profit organisations (NPOs), the human impact is clear – better classrooms, reliable healthcare, and stronger social safety nets.
Crucially, every departmental accounting officer, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Chief Financial Officer (CFO) will sign a pledge to implement this plan. This is not just a policy, it is a commitment and the DA will ensure that it is kept by holding officials accountable for delivering results – because accountability is the cornerstone of good governance.
This is just the start of a journey, not the end. It will take discipline, transparency, and a culture shift across government. But the reward will be a province where public money works for the people, where waste is eliminated, corruption is tackled and services reach those who need them most.
For families waiting for medicine, for learners needing textbooks and for communities relying on social support, this plan offers hope. The DA stands ready to ensure that this becomes a reality.