Mashatile wants a more transparent budget process, admits govt hasn't been inclusive
He told a budget roundtable discussion in Cape Town on Wednesday that it had become clear that preparing the budget has not included everyone and this needed to change, especially in a coalition government arrangement.
FILE: Deputy President of South Africa Paul Mashatile. Picture: X/PresidencyZA
CAPE TOWN - Deputy President Paul Mashatile wants a more transparent budget process and has admitted that the government has not been inclusive enough.
On Wednesday, he told a budget roundtable discussion in Cape Town that it had become clear that preparing the budget had not included everyone and this needed to change, especially in a coalition government arrangement.
The roundtable was hosted by the Financial and Fiscal Commission (FFC), which has also criticised the budget process.
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"The 2025 budget process has taught us important lessons, especially those relating to improving transparency in decision-making process. We have learned that the current budgetary process is not transparent."
Mashatile said the focus now should be on adopting the rest of the money bills following the adoption of the fiscal framework by a simple majority.
"We are now focused on getting through the second stage of passing the Division of Revenue Bill and the Appropriation Bill in May and June, respectively."