The National Assembly has passed the 2025 Appropriation Bill, authorizing government expenditure for the coming financial year, but not without sharp divisions and last-minute political maneuvering. The bill was approved with 260 votes in favor and 88 against, with opposition parties such as the MK Party, EFF, and ATM rejecting it outright.
The Democratic Alliance (DA), which had initially threatened to oppose the bill, ultimately supported it after President Cyril Ramaphosa dismissed Minister Nobuhle Nkabane—a move seen by critics as political horse-trading.
“Local Government on the Verge of Collapse” – Maimane
Dr. Mmusi Maimane, chairperson of the Standing Committee on Appropriations, expressed cautious relief at the bill’s passage but warned that the budget process had been marred by political brinkmanship rather than substantive debate on service delivery.
“The GNU has reduced the budget-making process to a fight about politics rather than the actual needs of South Africans,” Maimane said in an interview. “Had this bill not passed, we would be discussing how departments survive on 10% allocations.”
He raised particular concern over the state of local government, describing it as “on the verge of collapse,” citing struggling metros like Johannesburg. Maimane questioned whether the current funding model—where municipalities are expected to generate 90% of their own revenue—remains viable.
DA’s Last-Minute Support Sets Precedent
The DA’s decision to back the bill only after Nkabane’s removal drew criticism, with Maimane warning that such tactics risked prioritizing political vendettas over governance.
“There are mechanisms to hold ministers accountable—motions of censure, cabinet reshuffles—but holding the budget hostage sets a dangerous precedent,” he said.
Opposition Slams “Austerity Dressed as Reform”
Parties like the EFF and MK Party rejected the budget, labeling it an austerity measure that fails to address inequality. Maimane acknowledged the budget’s imperfections, noting that 22 cents of every rand goes to debt servicing while critical sectors like policing remain underfunded.
“This is not a growth budget,” he admitted, but argued that rejecting it outright would have been worse. “We need reforms, but we also need to ensure basic services aren’t disrupted.”
Call for Long-Term Planning
Maimane urged the government to move beyond political infighting and focus on long-term economic planning. “Next year cannot be another debacle. South Africans deserve stability, not last-minute chaos.”
As the budget takes effect, the spotlight remains on whether the GNU can shift from political survival to delivering tangible reforms—especially for collapsing local governments.