AG considers probe into budget delay costs at MKP’s request
The Office of the Auditor-General has confirmed a request from the uMkhonto weSizwe Party to investigate costs linked to the postponement of the national budget.
The budget was meant to be delivered nearly two weeks ago, only to be postponed at the last minute.
The MK Party has raised concerns over significant funds spent on logistics, including venue arrangements, security, and printing costs.
"Thousands of printed copies of the budget documents, speech scripts, and media kits were prepared at taxpayers’ expense, only for them to become redundant due to the GNU’s failure to govern effectively,” wrote MK Party chief whip Mzwanele Manyi.
“Ministers, senior government officials, and invited guests were booked into hotels and provided with travel allowances for an event that was ultimately abandoned.
“External consultants were contracted at great expense to assist with budget drafting, economic forecasts, and speechwriting. With no speech delivered, these costs now amount to an unjustifiable financial loss.”
Manyi described the “wastage of public funds as a direct betrayal of the South African people”.
“The MK Party demands a full forensic audit into all expenses related to the aborted Budget Speech and calls for accountability from those responsible for this embarrassing failure,” he said.
AGSA spokesperson Harold Maloka confirmed the office will review the request and respond to the party in writing.
"It is important to note that the AGSA conducts annual regularity audits of both the Parliament of the Republic of South Africa and all government departments.
“If any material irregularities are identified during these audits, they are reported in the audit reports of these institutions, which are tabled publicly in Parliament.
“It is equally worth noting that the national audit office is committed to carrying out its constitutional mandate in a fair manner, without fear, favour, or prejudice in all audits," added Maloka.
Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana is now set to table the budget on 12 March.
The government said he must consider South Africa’s fiscal constraints, protect lower and middle-income households, and support economic growth - in line with the Public Finance Management Act.
Godongwana will work with a ministerial team led by Deputy President Paul Mashatile to finalise the budget.
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