Mixed reactions to KZN budget
There was mixed reaction among political parties to KZN’s R109 billion budget tabled in the provincial legislature in Pietermaritzburg.
|||Durban - There was mixed reaction to KwaZulu-Natal’s R109 billion budget tabled in the provincial legislature in Pietermaritzburg on Thursday.
DA MPL, Francois Rodgers, said the budget tabled by Finance MEC Belinda Scott offered little to believe in or rely upon. “Instead, it was a budget aimed at garnering votes,” Rodgers said.
He also said the budget was all about what the ANC thought KZN needed, rather than what the people needed.
“The impact of this is set to be catastrophic. First of these is the fact that this budget will not see any new jobs created in our province during the forthcoming year.”
He also said Scott completely underplayed the severity of the drought ravaging the province.
“There was also no specific mention of crime and how the province is going to fight this scourge.”
Despite his criticism of the budget, Rodgers said his party welcomed the fact that Scott had heeded their advice in a number of areas.
He mentioned the review of all entities in the province, 6% subsidy increase for non-governmental organisations, holding senior officials accountable for fruitless and wasteful expenditure, and the Education Department budget increase devoted to improving sanitation in schools, among others.
EFF KZN leader, Vukani Ndlovu, said the cuts in the budget were proper.
“We can build on this as we move forward as the province,” Ndlovu said. He was concerned that despite the budget cuts, government events were still allowed to showcase and promote the ruling party.
“The ANC is doing that purposefully to take the money for grandstanding with the MECs using the budget.
“If they say there is budget cuts, why have events? What is reprioritisation if there is events?” Ndlovu asked.
ANC provincial secretary, Super Zuma, said it was evident the provincial government understood the challenges the ANC-led government sought to address.
“The budget allocations give insight into provincial government’s intention to fight poverty, unemployment and inequality.” Zuma also said the ruling party noted the R200m drought relief provided for in the budget.
“The relief is a clear indication that government responds to the needs of our people.”
He also said the KZN budget was in line with national government’s fiscal consolidation and ANC’s calls for stringent cost-cutting measures.
“This requires government departments continue to pay extra attention in channelling funds towards service delivery.” However, Zuma said the ANC would monitor with interest how government departments ensured there were reductions in expenditure.
mayibongwe.maqhina@inl.co.za
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