Africa-Press – South-Africa. Chairperson of Parliament’s Appropriations Committee, Mmusi Maimane, has stressed the importance of economic growth to support the social wage, which makes up more than 60% of the national budget.
Maimane has also read the Government of National Unity (GNU) the Riot Act, saying it needs to do better in ironing out its political differences before it tables a budget.
On Wednesday, the National Assembly hopes to finally pass the last money bill that comprises the national budget, after two false starts in February and March.
After three attempts to table a fiscal framework that would meet the approval of all coalition partners, the National Assembly has reached the final hurdle.
Tabling a report on the Appropriation Bill, Maimane warned of the ever-increasing cost of social spending, and the need for government to curb wasteful expenditure and root out ghost workers.
“Our inherent problem is a problem of growth. As our economy isn’t growing it means we have fewer resources to distribute to your citizens.”
For the first time in the country’s history, the budget passing has been delayed, and Maimane said that in future, the process needs to be refined.
“Please let us ensure that we’ve established our priorities, we are clear where our economic reforms, we budget accordingly and create plans that can ensure the budget process is smoother.”
If the budget is not passed, it will severely curb the expenditure of national departments to only 10% monthly of the previous year’s budget.
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