MPUMALANGA – MEC for Finance Bonakele Majuba tabled the second Mpumalanga Adjustments Appropriation Budget on March 05, 2025, highlighting the province’s commitment to fiscal responsibility while addressing economic challenges.
Majuba acknowledged the pressures on both national and provincial budgets, citing high inflation, slow economic growth, and constrained tax revenue. “We must continue to work hard, guided by the medium-term development plan, to address these economic and fiscal constraints,” he said. “Addressing these issues is essential for fostering sustainable development and improving the overall quality of life for residents across the province.”
The Department of Human Settlements saw a huge boost on their budget, receiving an additional R250 million from the National Government’s Human Settlements Development Grant, bringing its total budget for the 2024/25 financial year to R1.77 billion.
Majuba emphasised that the increase was due to the department’s consistent spending efficiency. “The Provincial Department of Human Settlements has consistently spent well, resulting in the reallocation of funds to accelerate the delivery of housing projects and related infrastructure,” he stated.
While most departments maintained their initial allocations, the Department of Economic Development and Tourism saw a budget reduction of R7 million, bringing it down to R1.46 billion. The Department of Community Safety, Security and Liaison also faced a decrease of R22.2 million, reducing its budget to R1.93 billion. Majuba assured the Legislature that these reductions were temporary. “All reduced amounts will be reallocated to these votes in the new financial year,” he said.
With these adjustments, the total provincial budget increased from R62.95 billion to R63.17 billion. Majuba stressed the importance of financial accountability and called on all departments to ensure that funds are properly managed. “We appeal to all departments to ensure that every rand and cent is accounted for at the end of this financial year,” he said. “All valid invoices for services rendered this year must be processed before the end of this month.”
He further emphasised that the budget adjustments align with the priorities outlined in the Premier’s recent State of the Province Address. “This adjustment budget demonstrates our commitment to the programmes supported by this Legislature when we presented our Annual Performance Plans at the start of the seventh administration,” he said. “It is a spending plan that helps the provincial government continue reducing housing inequality and contributes to the progressive attainment of the overall socio-economic development objectives of the state.”
