Gauteng tightens budget oversight, targets outstanding debts
Gauteng MEC for Finance Lebogang Maile presented the 2026 Gauteng Provincial Government Budget on Tuesday, revealing that total revenue collection is projected at R8.2 billion for the 2026–2027 financial year.
Maile announced that the provincial treasury has completed the appointment of a panel of debt collectors, whose main task is to assist Gauteng government institutions in recovering outstanding debts.
Among the major government institutions is Eskom, which last Thursday indicated its intention to issue legal notices to around 14 defaulting municipalities across the country - including Gauteng's Ekurhuleni Metro.
The utility warned that the power supply may be interrupted if accounts remain unsettled.
Maile explained that the provincial government has implemented integrated financial reforms to strengthen budget discipline, improve procurement controls, and ensure payment compliance, thereby promoting responsible management of public funds while supporting suppliers.
"We are pleased to announce that at the beginning of the 2026-2027 financial year, we will roll out the budget monitoring initiative in departments and entities, which will ensure that approved budgets are seamlessly uploaded and aligned across our platforms, creating a single source of truth. This integration enables automated real-time validation of funds before any procurement commitment is made."
He added that by replacing outdated paper-based processes, these systems now integrate and synchronise in real time.
According to him, this will ensure procurement remains aligned with approved budgets and controls, while shortening processing times, standardising procedures, and generating reliable paperless audit trails.
"These initiatives will result in high-quality real-time data that empowers better planning, enhances transparency, and enforces fiscal discipline, which ultimately drives improved service delivery for the people of Gauteng. Timely payment of suppliers is not only a legislative requirement, but a moral imperative that supports particularly small, micro, and medium enterprises, sustains economic activity, and builds trust in government," Maile added.
Maile also highlighted progress, noting that eight departments have maintained 100 percent compliance for invoices paid within 30 days in the current financial year to date.
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