Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana has questioned the capacity of Parliament’s budget office, saying it is not adequately equipped to help lawmakers amend the national budget.
Speaking during a public participation workshop on macro-fiscal policy on Friday, Godongwana argued that instead of rejecting the budget, political parties should be focusing on proposing constructive amendments.
He added that the budget office should play a stronger advisory role in this process rather than limiting itself to criticism.
The minister also confirmed that this year’s Medium-Term Budget Policy Statement (MTBPS) will be tabled later than usual.
While Parliament has set aside 22 October 2025 for the presentation, Godongwana said he plans to deliver it on 12 November, nearly three weeks later than the customary schedule.
He described the current budget cycle as the most challenging since his appointment four years ago. Treasury was forced to prepare three different versions of the fiscal framework before Parliament approved the budget in May.
According to Godongwana, this experience has highlighted the need for new approaches to budgeting under a coalition government.
He stressed that lawmakers must be able to scrutinise the budget and suggest amendments, but not reject it outright.
He also noted that Parliament’s budget office must adapt to the changing political landscape by providing meaningful technical guidance to enable effective amendments.
The delay of the MTBPS means departments and stakeholders will have to wait longer for clarity on funding allocations and fiscal adjustments, which are usually announced in October.
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