The government was already in talks with Cosatu about its offer to help cut Eskom's R450bn debt by R250bn using state workers' pension savings.

The trade union federation was among a range of organisations and lobby groups making submissions at Parliament during public hearings on the budget.

Cosatu is already in talks with the government over its offer for state workers’ pension savings to be used to cut Eskom’s R450 billion debt by R250 billion, although a number of unions are opposed to this.

The president was asked to give an assessment of his two years as head of state during a meeting with Sanef and the parliamentary Press Gallery Association in Cape Town on Tuesday.

President Cyril Ramaphosa has warned that the underlying weakness in South Africa's economy could be further aggravated by global economic uncertainty amid the spread of the coronavirus.

President Cyril Ramaphosa said that the poor growth figures released today were not pleasing, but said that the signs that the economy was struggling were evident for some time.

The labour federation, which was the first formation within the ANC and its broader movement to nominate Cyril Ramaphosa as president, berated its limited influence in government.

Treasury said that while strengthening Sars would take time, this would result in improved revenue collection in coming years.

Finance Minister Tito Mboweni said the tax break was one of the measures he hoped would jump-start the economy, but he had also warned that power cuts could stifle growth and that a stable electricity supply was the government’s most pressing priority.

Taxpayers will get relief to the tune of around R2 billion because tax brackets will be adjusted to just above inflation.

Relief for taxpayers will come through above-inflation increases in all tax brackets and will be welcome news, although excise duties on alcohol and tobacco go up along with a 25 cent a litre increase in fuel levies.

Shortfalls in revenue collection mean Finance Minister Tito Mboweni will have to announce cuts in government spending but he must also tread cautiously so as not to affect service delivery.

On Thursday, President Cyril Ramaphosa responded to the debate on his State of the Nation Address (Sona) delivered last week.

The ANC MP snuck in an official apology via social media in the early hours of Friday morning.

During the State of the Nation Address debate on Wednesday, Boy Mamabolo accused Julius Malema of physically abusing his wife.

This afternoon President Cyril Ramaphosa will be the only person to speak in Parliament when he gets the chance to reply to the compliments and criticism his State of the Nation Address has provoked.

Justice Minister Ronald Lamola, who was once Malema’s deputy when he was still leader of the ANC Youth League, took aim when he wrapped up the second and final day of debate on the President’s State of the Nation Address (Sona).

He’s told Parliament that he’s finalised ministerial determinations in terms of Section 34 of the Electricity Regulation Act and that these are now with energy regulator, the National Energy Regulator of South Africa (Nersa).