State coffers in the spotlight as Gigaba delivers his maiden mini-budget
Finance minister Malusi Gigaba will be walking a budgetary tightrope when he delivers his first Mid Term Policy Budget Statement (MTBPS) in Parliament this afternoon.
Economists believe this budget will be scrutinised even more closely than others due to the precarious nature of the country's finances.
Efficient Group economist Francois Stoffberg says Gigaba's appointment as finance minister in April has led to more uncertainty.
"Last week we heard that they're thinking of moving the budgetary process away from Treasury towards the Presidency itself.
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"This is a way that will help side step some legality issues concerning deals like the nuclear idea that government has.
"If the process is in the hands of the presidency they can go ahead and spend the money as they please."
State-owned enterprises will also be in the spotlight, with Gigaba expected to announce details around the latest bailout for South African Airlines (SAA).
The economic growth rate is expected to be revised downwards which, coupled with lower than expected tax revenue, could lead to higher taxes.
Although Gigaba won't announced any tax details today, he could give an indication as to what could be expected when he delivers the main budget speech in February.