Parliament to only consider adjustments budget for final approval by National Assembly in new year

EDITOR'S NOTE: The article has been updated to correct an error in an earlier version of this article. EWN regrets the error and apologises for the confusion caused.

Parliament says it will only consider the adjustments budget for final approval by the National Assembly in the new year.

EWN erroneously reported earlier on Monday that the medium-term budget policy statement (MTBPS) will only be tabled by the finance minister in 2026.

Minister Enoch Godongwana is still expected to table the mini-budget on 12 November as previously decided.

The National Treasury says it’s hard at work conducting the necessary engagements and preparations for the tabling of the mid-year budget.

Last week, Speaker Thoko Didiza told Parliament’s programme committee that the legislature did not want to rush or compromise its processes, and therefore had explained to the finance minister that the House would only look to pass the mid-year budget after its December recess.

Traditionally tabled in October, the medium-term budget policy statement is an opportunity for the finance minister to make revisions to the national budget and allocate additional money where needed.

The National Assembly is due to rise for the end-of-year break on 12 December, which would not allow it sufficient time to complete the budgetary cycle.

Parliament says the later tabling of the medium-term budget is the knock-on effect of the national budget itself having been tabled several months later than usual.

Speaker Thoko Didiza: "The circumstances around which we found ourselves in on the first budget this year was extraordinary and we will try to make sure going forward that we do not find ourselves in that situation."

The House is expected to adopt the revised fiscal framework on 27 November, followed by several of the related bills in December before the House rises.