‘Bugger the electorate’: Godongwana’s MTBPS under scrutiny
Shilowa questions the government's plan to ease economic pressures.
Former Gauteng Premier Mbhazima Shilowa has questioned whether Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana will present a stimulus package to alleviate South Africans' economic struggles. Shilowa, a skeptic about the ANC-led government's intentions, doubts that the government will prioritize the electorate over its own interests when presenting the 2026 Medium-Term Budget Policy Statement (MTBPS) on Wednesday.
"Knowing Godongwana and the ANC, I am not holding my breath for a stimulus package. Treasury will get the blame," Shilowa wrote. He further noted that while Treasury would consider the data and develop alternative options, the budget ultimately reflected the decisions of Godongwana, cabinet, and the president. Shilowa's remarks reflect the mounting pressure on the government as it deals with rising living costs, escalating fuel prices, and mounting debt levels.
The upcoming budget is expected to outline the government's economic priorities, with one critical issue being whether additional fuel levy relief will be introduced as South Africans continue to grapple with soaring fuel prices. A previous relief measure, a R3-per-litre reduction implemented in April and extended until June, resulted in an estimated R17.2 billion in lost government revenue.
Economic experts have urged the government to tighten its spending controls to stabilize debt while fostering economic growth and service delivery. Shilowa's skepticism about the forthcoming budget raises doubts about the government's ability to offer meaningful relief to households coping with economic hardship.
Written by urgent.news from The Citizen's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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