MTBPS: Questions raised on govt's plans to address range of fiscal pressure points
These questions include the country’s runaway expenditure bill, concerns about revenue collection, progress on infrastructure projects, and socioeconomic challenges faced by South Africans.
FILE: Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana at the Land Bank media briefing, on its conclusion on the liability solution with its lenders, 9 September 2024. Picture: GCIS
JOHANNESBURG - As the National Treasury prepares to deliver the medium-term budget policy statement (MTBPS) on Wednesday afternoon, there are again questions about government’s plans to address a range of fiscal pressure points.
This includes the country’s runaway expenditure bill, concerns about revenue collection, progress on infrastructure projects, and socioeconomic challenges faced by South Africans.
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Minister of Finance Enoch Godongwana is expected to take to the podium at 2 pm.
While the MTBPS is not expected to be policy-heavy, there are still expectations that Treasury will deliver on promises to prioritise accelerated economic growth while maintaining fiscal discipline.
Efficient Group chief economist, Dawie Roodt, said Godongwana has a tough balancing act ahead.
"The most important numbers will be found on the expenditure side. There is huge pressure on the minister of finance to spend more money on just about everything. So far, the minister of finance seems to be toeing the line to prevent spending from getting out of hand."