Parly receives more calls on need to review entire budget process

CAPE TOWN - Parliament has received more calls on the need for a review of the entire budget process to ensure it is in line with the Constitution and is more inclusive.  

The Financial and Fiscal Commission (FFC) and the Parliamentary Budget Office both briefed Parliament on Tuesday, as they continue their in-depth analysis of the budget tabled by the Minister of Finance Enoch Godongwana last week.  

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The two entities made the submissions at the second joint meeting of finance and appropriation committees from the National Assembly and National Council of Provinces (NCOP).  

Parliament has continued its analysis of the budget from the division of revenue to whether proper processes were followed by the National Treasury before tabling the budget.  

Institutions supporting democracy (ISDs) like the FFC addressed the joint meeting on the importance of the institution in the budget process.  

FFC chairperson Dr Nombeko Mbava said they need to be given proper time to make submissions on the budget.  

“There must be sufficient time for the FFC to review the proposed revenue allocations.”  

FFC’s head of research, Chen-Wei Tseng, added that the budget process must be investigated.  

“As my chairperson said very clearly, is that this process has to be examined or re-examined to see if indeed, we have been following the law, and we haven’t failed our constitutional mandate.”  

The Parliamentary Budget Office said the Money Bills Act requires Parliament to be considered part of the process before a value-added tax (VAT) proposal can be effected.