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Gauteng Finance MEC Nkululeko Dunga has unveiled a comprehensive roadmap to stabilise the province’s R179.2 billion budget for the 2026/27 financial year.

The MEC held a media briefing this week on the state of the province’s finances and a programme of action in this regard.

Dunga warned that the provincial fiscus “does not exist in isolation” and must navigate a global landscape marked by geopolitical instability and rising costs.

“These global developments have direct implications for the people of Gauteng. Rising fuel prices increase the cost of public transport, food, logistics, construction materials and electricity generation, placing further pressure on working-class households and the provincial fiscus itself.

“At the domestic level, South Africa’s economy remains under severe strain. The South African Reserve Bank estimates that the economy grew by only 1.1% in 2025, which remains far below the levels required to fundamentally transform the economy, absorb unemployment and expand the tax base of the State.

“At the same time, unemployment continues to deepen,” he noted.

On the back of this, the MEC emphasised a shift toward radical transparency and accountability in managing public funds.

“It is important that, from the onset, we state clearly that we will not mislead the people of Gauteng about the state of provincial finances and the challenges before us. As Amílcar Cabral once reminded revolutionaries, we must ‘tell no lies and claim no easy victories’. That principle must guide public finance management in Gauteng,” he said.

Setting priorities

A major priority for the Provincial Treasury is the eradication of “accruals”, unpaid invoices that stifle small businesses.

As of March 2026, provincial accruals stood at R9.3 billion, with nearly half exceeding the 30-day payment legislated timeframe.

“The direct consequence of this situation is collapsing businesses, job losses, weakening local economic activity and declining confidence in the state’s ability to honour its obligations on time.

“The reality is that some departments have effectively normalised operating beyond their financial capacity through over-commitments, delayed invoice processing, poor contract management and weak expenditure controls.

“We are therefore undertaking an urgent province-wide assessment of accruals, unpaid invoices, rollover requests and expenditure commitments, together with strengthened intervention measures aimed at restoring payment discipline, improving financial controls and ensuring that service providers are paid within legislated timeframes,” he said.

Turning to the state of municipalities in the province, Dunga warned that this remains one of the most “serious risks” to the province’s finances and its developmental trajectory.

He noted that as at the end of the last financial year, the province’s municipalities collectively reported outstanding debtors amounting to approximately R173.3 billion.

“Municipalities continue to confront declining revenue collection, escalating creditor obligations, collapsing infrastructure maintenance, weak governance systems and persistent failures in financial reporting and compliance.

“At the same time, municipalities reported outstanding creditors of approximately R34.3 billion, although the actual figure is likely far higher due to the under-reporting of debt owed to Eskom and Rand Water. Municipalities collectively under-reported debt owed to Eskom by approximately R12.7 billion and debt owed to Rand Water by approximately R2.7 billion. Several municipalities continue operating with unfunded or structurally weak budgets whilst infrastructure deteriorates and service delivery declines,” he said.

In response to these mounting pressures, Dunga presented a programme of action to strengthen State capacity. This includes:

• Stabilisation of provincial finances, including urgent intervention on accruals, unpaid invoices, rollover requests, conditional grants, expenditure pressures and recurring audit findings across departments and entities;
• Intensified intervention measures through MFMA Sections 138 and 140 financial health assessments, which are aimed at identifying municipalities experiencing financial problems;
• Expanding the provincial artisanal training programme as part of rebuilding internal technical capacity within government;
• Intensify interventions aimed at addressing deteriorating provincial infrastructure, including schools, hospitals, clinics, roads, government buildings and public facilities, together with all other departments;
• Engage on the strengthening and possible full-time integration of the traffic wardens, affectionately known as Amapanyapanya, as part of broader interventions aimed at combating crime

“The programme of action… will not be implemented in isolation by Gauteng Provincial Treasury alone. Its implementation will take place through continuous consultation, coordination and engagement with provincial departments, municipalities, entities and stakeholders under the leadership of the Premier of Gauteng. We are not going to work in silos.

“[Despite] these pressures, we remain committed to strengthening governance, rebuilding institutional capacity, improving oversight, eliminating leakages and ensuring that every available public resource is utilised more effectively, transparently and in a manner that delivers visible developmental outcomes. 

“The success of public finance management will ultimately not be measured by accounting processes alone, but by whether communities experience improvements in schools, clinics, roads, housing, transport, municipal services, public safety and broader living conditions across Gauteng,” Dunga concluded. – SAnews.gov.za

Deputy President Paul Mashatile will on Saturday attend the State Funeral of the late former President of the Republic of Botswana, His Excellency Festus Gontebanye Mogae.

In a brief statement on Friday, the Presidency said Deputy President Mashatile will attend the ceremony that will be held at the University of Botswana in Gaborone, on behalf of President Cyril Ramaphosa, the Government and the people of South Africa.

Former President Mogae passed away last week at the age of 86. 

“President Ramaphosa has conveyed his condolences on behalf of South Africa to former First Lady Her Excellency Mrs Barbara Gemma Mogae, the bereaved family, President Duma Gideon Boko and the people of Botswana,” said the Presidency.

READ | President Ramaphosa mourns passing of Former Botswana President Festus Mogae

In his tribute on Monday, the President described Mogae as a great leader, who played a significant role in advancing democracy, good governance and regional cooperation.

“As South Africans, we embrace the people of Botswana in our shared grief at the passing of a great leader of the Republic of Botswana and the Southern African Development Community.

“We have lost a dear neighbour and friend, who shared our values of democracy, good governance and fraternal partnership,” President Ramaphosa said. – SAnews.gov.za

Home Affairs Deputy Minister, Njabulo Nzuza says the department issued a record-breaking number of Smart ID cards during the 2025/26 financial year, while accelerating efforts to digitise civic records and improve access to services across the country.

Delivering the Home Affairs Budget Vote Debate in the National Assembly on Friday, Nzuza said the department’s progress reflects an ongoing institutional culture shift aimed at building a modern, efficient and citizen-centred Home Affairs system.

“The Budget we are tabling today is shaped by clearly visible gains that our citizens continue to reap from the Department of Home Affairs.

“The progress we are making demonstrates that meaningful transformation is only possible through a deliberate shift in organisational culture,” Nzuza said.

He said the department remains focused on building “a Home Affairs that is modern, secure, efficient, and truly citizen-centred”.

Record Smart ID card issuance

Nzuza told Parliament that Home Affairs issued more than four million Smart ID cards during the 2025/26 financial year, significantly exceeding its target.

“In the 2025/26 financial year, we issued a record-breaking number of Smart ID Cards of just above four million, far exceeding the target of 2 750 000. This is the highest single-year output in our department’s history,” he said.

The Deputy Minister added that first-time Smart ID issuances have also increased sharply over recent years.

“The first time issues over the past financial years have grown from 622 539 in the 20/21 financial year to 1 032 327 in the 25/26 Financial Year, far surpassing our targets,” he said.

According to Nzuza, the department has expanded mobile office services and community outreach programmes to improve access in rural and underserved communities.

“It is through collaborative partnerships, community outreach and the expansion of mobile offices that we continue to take services directly to the people, particularly those in rural, remote and historically underserved communities,” he said.

More than 60 million civic records digitised

Nzuza said the digitisation of civic records remains one of the department’s most significant reform initiatives.

“As part of our Digital Transformation Journey, the digitisation of Civic Records is a remarkable achievement that stands among the most significant administrative reform efforts undertaken in the democratic era.

“Since the inception of the project, more than 60 million civic records have been digitised, with a further 25 million records targeted for digitisation during the 26/27 Financial Year,” he said.

He described the project as more than simply converting paper records into digital files.

“This is not merely the transfer of paper to digital platforms; it is the construction of a modern, efficient and accessible state capable of responding to the needs of its people with speed, dignity and integrity,” Nzuza said.

The Deputy Minister, however, acknowledged ongoing staffing and budgetary pressures affecting the department.

“Whilst we celebrate this progress, we must equally acknowledge the persistent human resource and budgetary pressures confronting the project and the department more broadly,” he said.

Early birth registration exceeds target

Nzuza said Early Birth Registration continues to play a critical role in strengthening the country’s identity management system and protecting children’s rights.

“A legal identity secured at birth is not merely an administrative process; it is the first recognition of citizenship, dignity and belonging,” he said.

He told Parliament that the Civic Services Branch exceeded its annual target by registering more than 680 000 babies within 30 days of birth.

“I am proud to report that the Civic Services Branch exceeded its target of 677 000 by successfully registering 680 555 babies within 30 days of birth,” Nzuza said.

The Deputy Minister announced that the department plans to automate birth registration processes at health facilities during the 2026/27 financial year.

“In 2026/27 financial year, we intend to automate birth process at health facilities, which will be implemented for first registrations of citizens.

“This will improve the security of the process by minimising fraud and corruption and turnaround time for issuing birth certificates. This will also end the unsustainable generation of paper records,” he said.

Mobile offices expand services to schools and vulnerable communities

Nzuza said Home Affairs mobile offices exceeded their annual target, conducting more than 6 300 visits during the year under review.

“Our mobile offices exceeded the annual target, visiting 6 304 sites. This included 5 010 visits to public schools and 516 to special schools, providing vital services to young citizens – the inheritors of our future,” he said.

He highlighted the impact of the programme through individual success stories, including that of 94-year-old Mandla Mziwabantu, who received his first Smart ID card during a departmental outreach in Matatiele

The Deputy Minister also said mobile units continue to assist communities affected by disasters.

“When fire engulfed Du Noon in Cape Town earlier this year, destroying hundreds of structures, the department responded with urgency and compassion.

“Through a targeted cost waiver intervention, affected residents were able to replace lost identity documents and birth certificates free of charge,” he said.

He added that the department is prepared to deploy mobile units to disaster-affected areas in Gqeberha and the Northern Cape.

Passport services outperform targets

Nzuza said Home Affairs continues to improve passport turnaround times to support South Africans travelling for work, study and leisure. 

“To enable South Africans to travel-wide for business, study, work and leisure, Home Affairs strives to issue 90% of passports in the country within 13 working days for adults and 18 days for minors,” he said.

According to the Deputy Minister, the department exceeded both targets during the year under review.

“In the year under review, Home Affairs surpassed its target by issuing 98.72% of Passports for minors within 18 days, and 96.32% of adult passports within 13 days,” he said.

He added that passport services have also been expanded to some South Africans living abroad.

Preparing for 2026 local government elections

Nzuza urged South Africans to collect their identity documents ahead of the 2026 local government elections.

“As we look toward the 2026 Local Government Elections, I encourage all citizens to collect their IDs. Your identity is your Voice. It is your Heritage. It is your Freedom,” he said.

The Deputy Minister said Home Affairs will continue working with stakeholders to support free and credible elections.

“Through strengthened collaboration, efficient service delivery, and expanded access to identity services, we remain committed to supporting free, fair, and credible elections that reflect the will of the people,” he said.

Culture change and digital skills development

Nzuza said the department is implementing a culture change strategy focused on ethics, innovation and citizen-centred services.

“Key milestones from the past financial year include digital upskilling, with 2 861 officials completing mandatory Digital Literacy training, thus exceeding our target of 2 500,” he said.

He added that the department also established five provincial virtual training hubs and launched e-learning modules in ethics and client relations.

“Women represented over 65% of training beneficiaries. We also implemented targeted measures to improve disability representation and gender parity at Senior Management level,” Nzuza said.

He reaffirmed the department’s commitment to institutional reform.

“We’re resolute in our mission to transform Home Affairs into a professional, ethical, high-performing institution serving all people with dignity,” he said. – SAnews.gov.za

Home Affairs Minister Dr Leon Schreiber says the department has expanded access to Smart ID replacement services by 47% within two months through its new digital partnership with banks.

The Minister said there are plans to roll the service out to at least 750 bank branches by the end of 2026.

Delivering the Home Affairs Budget Vote in the National Assembly on Friday, Schreiber said the digitalisation of the long-standing partnership between Home Affairs and the banking sector is already changing how citizens access critical services.

“After only eight weeks, a total of 167 bank branches across the length and breadth of South Africa now offer Smart ID replacement services, with more branches going live every week,” the Minister said.

He said the application process has been fully digitalised, allowing citizens to apply for IDs in as little as five minutes without bookings or paperwork.

“Gone are the days of spending a whole day in a queue. At these 167 bank branches, it now takes as little as five minutes to apply for an ID. No prior bookings are required. No paperwork is needed. And there is no official discretion, completely sealing the system off from manipulation and fraud by relying on the power of biometric technology,” Schreiber said.

According to the Minister, 118 434 Smart ID applications have already been processed through the new system for people replacing lost cards or switching from the Green ID book.

He said the project is key to migrating the estimated 16 million South Africans still using Green ID books to Smart IDs.

“The Green ID is the most defrauded document on the African continent and sits at the heart of financial fraud and identity theft in our country,” he said.

Schreiber also announced that first-time Smart ID and passport applications will soon be introduced through the banking platform, alongside a new doorstep delivery service.

“And we will introduce doorstep delivery of IDs and passports for the first time in South African history.
“Thanks to our laser focus on digital transformation, South Africans will shortly have the option of having their enabling document securely couriered right to their own doorstep, without the need to travel anywhere just to do a collection,” he said.

ETA system blocks nearly 4 500 illegitimate travellers

Schreiber said the department’s Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) system has already processed more than 75 000 applications since being introduced for tourists from China, India, Mexico and Indonesia ahead of the G20 Leaders’ Summit last year.

The ETA allows travellers to apply for visas through smartphones or laptops and receive outcomes within 24 hours.

“This new system uses biometric and machine learning technology to enable prospective travellers to apply for a tourist visa on their laptop or smartphone and receive their visa within just 24 hours,” Schreiber said.

He explained that the system checks 40 parameters to verify passport authenticity and uses facial recognition and liveness detection technology to strengthen border security.

“Even with the rollout initially limited to just four countries, I can report today that the ETA has already processed over 75 000 applications, resulting in more than 71 000 approvals and nearly 4 500 rejections.

“Think about that for a moment. That’s almost 4 500 people who were prevented by the ETA from obtaining a visa, who may otherwise have entered our country illegitimately under the old manual and paper-based system.”

The Minister said the system will soon be expanded to more countries and eventually cover all visa categories.

Draft Digital ID regulations published for public comment

Schreiber announced that draft regulations for the department’s new Digital Identity system have been published for public comment until 6 June 2026.

READ | Have your say on digital identity draft regulations

The Digital ID forms part of the Home Affairs @ home programme and is expected to enable citizens to securely access Home Affairs services remotely through their smartphones.

“For our third flagship reform, Digital ID, we have recently published draft regulations in terms of the Identification Act.

“I invite all stakeholders to comment on these draft regulations before the closing date of 6 June, so that we can implement an appropriate and fit-for-purpose regulatory framework for this new system that will enable South Africans to securely access Home Affairs services in the palm of their own hand,” he said.

The Minister said the reforms are being supported by a digital training programme aimed at preparing thousands of officials for the future world of work.

Crackdown on corruption

Schreiber said corruption-related dismissals, arrests and convictions are now taking place at a “near-weekly basis” across the department and the Border Management Authority (BMA).

He told Parliament that since the start of the current administration, the Department of Home Affairs has secured 10 criminal convictions, 14 arrests and 65 dismissals, while the Border Management Authority has secured an additional 26 arrests and 34 dismissals.

“We are now carrying out dismissals, arrests and convictions on a near-weekly basis. Crooked officials are no longer asking whether they will be caught.

“They are spending all their time wondering when it will be their turn. My answer to them is simple: sooner than you think,” he said.

Schreiber said the department will continue rooting out corruption while intensifying immigration enforcement operations.

He said Home Affairs conducted 10 700 enforcement inspections during the past financial year under Operation New Broom, exceeding its annual target of 4 000 inspections.

“Over the past two financial years, Home Affairs has carried out nearly 110 000 deportations – an increase of 46% compared to previous years.

“This is in addition to the over 945 000 people that the BMA has prevented from entering into South Africa, either illegally or because they did not have the required documentation, since its establishment.”

R12.5 billion investment planned for border infrastructure

The Minister also announced that the Border Management Authority has selected bidders for a R12.5 billion public-private partnership to rebuild South Africa’s six busiest land ports of entry.

“Last month, the BMA announced the bidders that have been selected for a R12.5 billion public-private partnership to demolish and rebuild our country’s six busiest land ports of entry,” he said.

Schreiber said Cabinet has also approved the Revised White Paper on Citizenship, Immigration and Refugee Protection, which introduces the first-safe-country principle aimed at preventing asylum seekers from bypassing other safe countries to seek refuge in South Africa.

“By implementing the Revised White Paper, we will introduce the first-safe-country-principle to end the practice of asylum seekers ‘picking and choosing’ South Africa as their only destination in the region,” he said.

The Minister said the reforms were strengthened by a recent Constitutional Court judgment confirming that asylum seekers cannot submit endless repeat applications after their original applications are rejected.

IEC receives additional R1.1 billion for elections

Schreiber said the Home Affairs Budget Vote includes an additional R1.1 billion allocation for the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) to prepare for the upcoming local government elections.

“The national voter registration campaign will officially launch on 27 May 2026 under the message: ‘Get Up, Show Up, Vote,’” he said.

He added that more than 6 100 field workers have already been deployed across five provinces to assist with registration activities in municipalities affected by ward delimitation and voting district changes.

The elections will be held on 4 November 2026.

The Home Affairs budget totals R13.8 billion for the 2026/27 financial year, R12.8 billion for 2027/28, and R13.3 billion for 2028/29. – SAnews.gov.za

The Department of Agriculture has allocated R3.2 billion to food security and farmer support programmes, the largest share of its 2025/26 Budget Vote, as government intensifies efforts to drive inclusion, productivity and job creation across the sector.

Presenting the department’s Budget Vote in Parliament on Friday, Agriculture Minister John Steenhuisen said the allocation to Programme Three, Food Security and Support, underscores the central role of farmer support and extension services in unlocking productivity and inclusion. 

Programme Two, covering biosecurity, research and natural resource management, has been allocated R2.5 billion, with a significant portion directed towards strengthening research, diagnostics and export compliance systems.

“Of this amount, approximately R494 million has already been spent, with a remaining balance of R1.607 billion earmarked for the continuation and expansion of the vaccination programme,” the Minister said.

Programme Four, Economic Development, Trade and Marketing, was allocated R924 million to continue driving market access, addressing tariff and non-tariff barriers, and supporting the integration of producers into higher-value segments of the market.

Unlocking jobs across the value chain

Steenhuisen said the budget is aligned with government’s broader target of expanding agricultural value-add by 30% and unlocking 300 000 jobs across the value chain.

He highlighted that the sector already supports close to 950 000 jobs across the value chain, with additional employment gains driven through targeted interventions. 

The Blended Finance Scheme, implemented in partnership with development finance institutions, has supported over 14 000 jobs, including about 7 869 through the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC), and more than 6 480 via the Land Bank.

Further employment is being created through government’s extension support initiatives, with 370 Assistant Agricultural Practitioners already deployed to strengthen frontline advisory services to farming communities across the country. 

A total of R306 million has been set aside over the Medium-Term Expenditure Framework toward the employment of Assistant Agricultural Practitioners working alongside provincial departments.

Steenhuisen highlighted the role of agro-processing and energy-linked initiatives in driving future employment. 

The Agro-Energy Fund is supporting investment in irrigation and cold-chain infrastructure, while the proposed biofuels blending programme could generate up to 25 000 jobs, particularly in rural areas.

“Growth in agriculture must translate into real opportunities on the ground. This budget is directed at deepening value chains, expanding market access and ensuring that more South Africans participate meaningfully in the sector.”

Agricultural exports reached R268.7 billion

The Minister also noted continued export growth as a key driver of economic activity. 

Agricultural exports reached R268.7 billion in the fourth quarter of 2025, reflecting a 9% year-on-year increase and a trade surplus of R24.6 billion for the period.

South Africa has also expanded its global footprint, securing new market access for products including citrus, table grapes and stone fruit in countries such as China, the Philippines and Vietnam. 

The country recently became the world’s largest citrus exporter by volume, shipping 2.9 million tons in 2025.

Government is investing in regulatory reform and biosecurity to sustain export competitiveness.

The Minister said the Agricultural Research Council (ARC), which received the largest share of entity funding, is scaling up local vaccine production to support disease control, including efforts to combat foot-and-mouth disease.

He emphasised the importance of strengthening domestic capacity to safeguard the livestock industry and ensuring long-term sustainability.

The budget also prioritises smallholder integration into formal markets. 

Through the SA-GAP (South African Good Agricultural Practices) certification programme, implemented with the Perishable Products Export Control Board, 740 producers have been supported, with plans to reach 1 700 more farmers in the coming year.

Despite progress, the Minister acknowledged that structural challenges remain, including uneven transformation and concentration in key subsectors.

“Agriculture has always been a sector of quiet resilience. But in the years ahead, it must become a sector of deliberate growth. Growth that is inclusive, export-oriented, and translates into jobs, investment, and opportunity,” Steenhuisen said.

He added that government would continue to focus on improving infrastructure, expanding market access and strengthening partnerships across the value chain to ensure that growth translates into jobs, investment and broader economic opportunity. – SAnews.gov.za