Ramaphosa says budget delays aren’t unique, happen all the time

CAPE TOWN - President Cyril Ramaphosa said that budget delays were not unique and happened all the time, even in municipalities.

He said that disagreements over budgets were even known to collapse governments.

But addressing the opening of the National House of Traditional and Khoisan Leaders on Tuesday, Ramaphosa tried to ease concerns, saying that Government of National Unity (GNU) parties would reach a consensus on the budget before March.

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Ramaphosa told traditional leaders that this was the first budget involving several parties after the African National Congress (ANC) lost its majority.

But he said that budget disagreements were synonymous with coalition governments internationally and locally.

"As a Government of National Unity, it happens in other countries. We have seen it happening in our metros, we have seen it happen in our local governments and municipalities."

But Ramaphosa remains confident they will pass a budget accepted by everyone when Minister of Finance Enoch Godongwana returns on 12 March to table a revised budget.

He said the new budget would promote an inclusive economy and also address poverty and equality.