Africa-Press – South-Africa. The National Treasury plans to spend around R309 million to maintain its infrastructure over the next three years, which includes its four buildings and ICT infrastructure.
Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana revealed this figure in response to ANC MP Helen Elizabeth Neale‐May’s recent parliamentary question.
May asked the minister what amount has been budgeted for infrastructure maintenance at the National Treasury and what measures the Treasury will take to ensure a higher compliance threshold regarding operation and maintenance standards.
In his response, the minister explained that infrastructure refers to a wide range of systems and facilities that support the functioning of the National Treasury.
“The specific amount budgeted for the maintenance of infrastructure at the National Treasury varies annually based on the national budget allocations,” he said.
“However, infrastructure maintenance is typically a significant part of the budget to ensure the longevity and efficiency of public assets.”
The minister revealed that the National Treasury has budgeted an estimated R308.80 million for maintaining its infrastructure over the next three years.
This will see the National Treasury spend an estimated R98.27 million in 2025/26, R102.94 million in 2026/27 and R107.589 million in 2027/28 to maintain its infrastructure.
For the sake of this question, “infrastructure” refers to the four buildings the National Treasury occupies and its ICT technology.
It includes spending on rental and parking at these buildings, the Treasury’s CT infrastructure, and the maintenance of the buildings.
“The National Treasury is committed to maintaining high standards in operations and maintenance across various infrastructures, including ICT systems, through a structured and comprehensive approach,” Godongwana said.
“Regular audits and inspections are conducted to ensure adherence to established benchmarks, facilitating prompt identification of issues.”
“Compliance frameworks have been implemented to provide clear guidance on standards, procedures, and Occupational Health and Safety compliance, with a special emphasis on infrastructure maintenance and ICT governance.”
Cyber security
In his response, Godongwana emphasised the National Treasury’s plans to strengthen its ICT infrastructure management.
For example, he said the Treasury has adopted the Department of Public Service and Administration’s Corporate Governance of ICT Framework and integrated it with other best practice frameworks by the National Treasury.
“This collaboration ensures that ICT systems are managed effectively and sustainably, aligning with global standards for governance and security,” he said.
“Training programs and capacity-building initiatives are also tailored to equip personnel with up-to-date knowledge and skills in infrastructure and ICT maintenance.”
Godongwana said performance monitoring systems are established to evaluate both physical infrastructure and ICT operations, identifying areas for improvement to enhance efficiency and reliability.
“Public-private partnerships further support these efforts, leveraging private sector expertise and resources to bolster infrastructure management,” he said.
“Adequate funding allocation ensures that all critical maintenance, including ICT systems, is prioritised to prevent deterioration and enable long-term functionality.”
“By adopting these measures, the National Treasury demonstrates a proactive commitment to sustainable infrastructure management.”
He said this integrated approach, covering both physical and ICT systems, ensures functionality, safety, and accessibility for public use, highlighting a forward-thinking stance in governance and operational excellence.
Securing the government’s ICT infrastructure has become increasingly important, particularly in light of rising cyber attacks in the country.
The most recent Allianz Risk Barometer for 2025 showed that cybercrime has become the single biggest threat to businesses worldwide.
“Cyber is the top risk across North and South America, Europe, and Africa, dominating industry concerns from aviation to legal services,” Allianz said.
“More importantly, it now ranks as the number one risk in South Africa, overtaking long-standing issues like load-shedding and political instability.”
This concern is not just theoretical. Several high-profile companies in the country have fallen victim to cybercrime in recent years, and the government is no exception.
In November 2024, the South African Bureau of Standards (SABS) was the target of a cyberattack where ransomware paralysed the organisation’s systems.
“Shockingly, it was later revealed in Parliament that, by February 2025, core systems remained encrypted and inaccessible. This marked the third cyberattack on the SABS in just five years,” Allianz pointed out.
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