By Thebe Mabanga
The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) has called on Parliament to be thorough when considering the upcoming iteration of the budget, which was postponed following a settlement between the ANC, Parliament and political parties as well as an order of the court.
In a letter to ANC MP and chairperson of the Standing Committee on Finance, Joe Maswanganyi, the EFF proposes several amendments to the committee’s programme in considering the budget, which is set to be tabled on 21 May.
“Our principled view is that this process must not be rushed, particularly in a political context where public confidence in the budget process and the integrity of parliamentary oversight is under increased scrutiny,” the letter reads.
“The budget is not a technical document alone, but the government’s political programme expressed in fiscal terms. It determines who is prioritised and who is excluded.”
The EFF calls for separate briefings for the committee by the Parliamentary Budget Office (PBO) and the Finance and Fiscal Commission (FFC), arguing that combining these briefings has proven insufficient in the past.
The party then demands two full days of public hearings with submissions considered thoroughly and argues that committee meetings must be held in person in Parliament, with only outsiders allowed to participate virtually.
Lastly, it urges that the National Treasury be given four days to consider submissions and prepare its response, again in a move designed not to rush the process.
The Red Berets point out that these steps can be accommodated and the process completed by 11 June, well within the timeframe imposed by the Public Finance Management Act.
“We make these proposals because the 2025 budget is one of the most important in recent years, tabled in the context of deepening poverty, rising unemployment and an urgent need to restore the credibility of public finances and the authority of Parliament.”
Maswanganyi has not responded to the request.
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