President Cyril Ramaphosa stated that the findings of the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry will sharpen the work of the police, addressing the National Assembly yesterday (June 2, 2026) while tabling his budget vote. He noted that recommendations from the Commission’s first interim report have already led to the arrest of certain individuals found to be on the wrong side of the law. Ramaphosa also reiterated the Presidency’s support for stronger parliamentary oversight, describing it as a critical pillar of transparency, accountability, and democratic governance.
Professor Isaac Khambule, Director of the Africa Centre for Evidence at the University of Johannesburg, provided analysis on the speech and its implications. He acknowledged the budget vote arrives at a critical moment for South Africa, citing improved fiscal stability, stronger tax revenue, a positive credit rating, and government efforts to raise R890 billion for infrastructure investment as positive indicators.
However, Khambule emphasized that these macroeconomic gains are not translating to local levels. “You still have your cities that are collapsing such as your cities of Johannesburg, your Buffalo,” he said, pointing to persistent service delivery failures, rising unemployment, and social tensions including immigration-related frictions. He noted ideological contestations within the Government of National Unity (GNU), with some partners “pulling left whereas some others are pulling right,” creating uncertainty about the government’s policy direction.
On infrastructure, while the President highlighted plans to invest one trillion rand over the next three years, Khambule expressed skepticism about execution. He acknowledged improvements in areas like northern KwaZulu-Natal, including Tongaat and Ballito, driven by both public and private investment. Yet, he stressed that core economic hubs like Johannesburg are not seeing comparable upgrades, with roads unrepaired and water crises persisting. In small towns and rural areas, infrastructure projects have largely failed to deliver employment gains or meaningful economic outcomes for residents.
Khambule identified institutional weaknesses as a central barrier. He noted that employment opportunities from infrastructure spending are not benefiting local communities, partly due to criminal networks disrupting projects. He called for a strategic plan to create sustainable employment pathways, warning that over-reliance on government as a job creator is fiscally unsustainable. “Government does not have the fisc that is required to continue spending,” he said, urging collaboration with the private sector to subsidize job creation while ensuring positions go to South Africans and addressing red tape that sometimes leads employers to hire undocumented immigrants.
On accountability, Khambule highlighted concerns about the National Prosecuting Authority, noting that while the Special Investigating Unit recoups billions annually, few arrests follow—a gap he attributed to political interference and institutional failure. He argued that shielding law enforcement and the judiciary from political pressure is essential for investor confidence and democratic resilience. He also pointed to global inflationary pressures and fuel price volatility as compounding domestic challenges, requiring fiscally responsible plans that prioritize growth and employment.
Regarding parliamentary oversight, Khambule referenced the establishment of a section 89 impeachment committee following a Constitutional Court ruling on the Phala Phala matter. He described the current moment as a test for the GNU: whether coalition partners will prioritize ethical leadership and rational accountability over political brokering. “If there’s something wrong that is deemed that the president has done then it should be the core issue that the entire parliament should be able to take a rational decision and deal with that matter,” he said.
On intergovernmental coordination, Khambule cited a National Treasury 2022 report indicating that only two municipalities nationwide were spending within the recommended 8-9% of budgets on infrastructure maintenance and improvement. He noted that interventions under section 139 of the Constitution are often politicized, and municipalities placed under administration frequently regress due to unresolved root causes—primarily a shortage of qualified municipal officials. While the District Development Model (DDM) was designed to improve coordination, Khambule said it has not yet delivered meaningful results.
In conclusion, Khambule stressed that professionalizing the public service and strengthening institutional capacity are prerequisites for translating budget commitments into tangible service delivery, job creation, and sustainable growth. As South Africa navigates its next constitutional chapter, the alignment of political will, fiscal discipline, and accountable governance will determine whether the promises of the budget vote become reality for citizens.