KWAZULU-NATAL GOVERNMENT PRAISED FOR REDUCING BUDGET DEFICIT BY OVER R4 BILLION IN LESS THAN FOUR MONTHS

MEDIA ADVISORY

11 February 2025

KWAZULU-NATAL GOVERNMENT PRAISED FOR REDUCING BUDGET DEFICIT BY OVER R4 BILLION IN LESS THAN FOUR MONTHS

The KwaZulu-Natal Legislature’s Finance Portfolio Committee has heaped praises on the provincial government for managing to reduce the projected over expenditure from R9 billion to R5 billion in a short space of time.

Briefing the Finance Portfolio Committee at the legislature today, Finance MEC Francois Rodgers announced that the cost cutting measures implemented by the provincial government at the end of last year had produced handsome dividends.

“When we implemented the cost curtailment measures in November last year our projected over expenditure was R9 billion and we are happy to announce that we have reduced it by R4 billion. We have achieved this by implementing significant reductions in travel expenses, vehicle rentals, catering and functions. We will continue to ensure that we reduce it even further,” said Rodgers.

Members of the committee commended the provincial government and urged it to continue implementing measures aimed at closing the budget shortfall. “This is a major achievement over a short period of time. We know that this is not easy to achieve,” said Finance Portfolio Committee Chair, Hon Mthandeni Dlungwana.

The Finance department also presented its 2025/2026 draft budget, the 2024/2025 third quarter financial, non-financial reports as well as the draft 2025/2026 annual performance plan.

ISSUED BY THE KWAZULU-NATAL LEGISLATURE

For enquiries : Mr Bongani Tembe 0823272600             

For interviews: Committee Chair, Hon Mthandeni Dlungwana 0823290354