Note to Editors: Please note Tim Brauteseth, MPL sound bite in English
(The following debate was delivered during a Special Sitting of the KZN Legislature held earlier today)
The Democratic Alliance (DA) in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) supports the 2025/26 Adjustments Appropriation Bill. While this bill does not replace the main budget passed earlier in the year, it allows KZN’s Government of Provincial Unity (GPU) to respond to unexpected events, correct earlier estimates and direct money where it is most urgently needed.
For KZN, these adjustments are particularly important due to severe weather disasters, fiscal pressure within the Health and Education departments, and rising service delivery demands.
The DA commends Finance MEC, Francois Rodgers, for his steady hand on the wheel of our province’s finances which has enabled KZN to secure additional assistance from National Treasury and channel resources to critical areas such as Health, Education and disaster recovery. This is leadership that prioritises people over politics.
Contrast this with the reckless behaviour witnessed on 15 December 2025, when the MK Party (MKP) attempted to collapse the GPU. These tactics were not just political theatre – they were a direct threat to KZN’s financial stability. Had they succeeded, our province would have been plunged into uncertainty, jeopardising the very adjustments we are debating today.
Yesterday, when KZN’s Finance portfolio committee visited Ndwedwe to engage the community on this bill, the MKP deployed their cadres to disrupt a crucial opportunity for public participation. This violent and disruptive behaviour robbed our people of giving input on the progress the GPU is making in rebuilding schools, funding clinics and restoring infrastructure.
In terms of this Adjustments Budget, KZN receives R3.648 billion in additional funding from National Treasury. This includes;
• R2 billion added to the Provincial Equitable Share to help departments manage budget pressures
• R984.8 million for disaster relief and rebuilding
• R442.4 million in additions to conditional grants and;
• R189.7 million in approved roll overs of unspent conditional grants.
Education
KZN’s Department of Education (DoE) receives additional funding of R640.9 million allocated to address long standing budget pressures in schools. This means that;
* Schools are better able to pay teachers and support staff
* Funds are redirected toward maintenance and repairs, ensuring that classrooms damaged by storms or flooding can be restored
* Money is shifted to ensure learners receive learning and teaching support materials, such as books, equipment, and digital tools and;
* Increased funding for Early Childhood Development (ECD) sees subsidies per child up from R17 to R24 per day for centre based programmes.
Health
Health receives an additional R1.39 billion which will support;
* Payment of nurses, doctors and critical frontline staff
* Medical equipment maintenance, rather than costly new purchases
* Continued operation of district hospitals and clinics, particularly in rural areas and an additional R95.2 million – allocated after the withdrawal of PEPFAR funding – to ensure that HIV and related services continue without interruption.
Disaster Relief
KZN sees almost R985million allocated specifically for disaster relief and reconstruction, funds that will;
* Repair damaged schools
* Restore health facilities
* Rebuild provincial roads, particularly in rural and flood affected areas and;
* Support public infrastructure, ensuring access to services resumes quickly.
Transport
The bill also paves the way for safer travel with R300 million redirected to learner transport. This means;
* Children are less likely to walk long and unsafe distances;
* Improved school attendance, particularly during bad weather and;
* Reduced financial and safety burdens for parents.
Funding is also directed toward road maintenance, improving access for taxis, buses, emergency services and everyday commuters.
Human Settlements
Funding has been shifted from delayed or stalled projects to high pressure spending areas, allowing government to:
* Pay outstanding invoices on completed housing projects
* Align subsidies with new, higher national housing standards and;
* Restart delayed housing developments once procurement issues are resolved.
This Bill is not just about numbers – it is about responding to real needs, real emergencies, and real people. It reflects a GPU that is working hard to balance limited resources with overwhelming demand, while keeping service delivery at the centre of decision making.
The DA supports the 2025/26 Adjustments Appropriation Bill, in the interest of KZN’s people and the continuing recovery, stability, and development of our province.