Gauteng Portfolio Committee on Finance notes GPG shortfall reports

The Gauteng Legislature Portfolio Committee on Finance says it will continue to closely monitor spending in provincial departments following reports that the provincial government is facing a R6 billion shortfall by June this year.

Gauteng Finance and Economic Development MEC, Lebogang Maile, has subsequently rebuffed those reports.

“[The] committee notes the rebuttal of the article in the form of a media statement issued by Gauteng MEC for Finance, Mr. Lebogang Maile, dated 07 January 2025. 

“The committee will continue to closely monitor expenditure patterns of departments and entities, and conduct oversight to ensure that the Gauteng Provincial Departments exercise fiscal discipline,” a statement read.

Furthermore, the committee explained that it bears a mandate to carry out oversight to “ensure that there is prudence and accountability in relation to utilisation of government resources”. 

“The committee does this in conjunction with the Gauteng Provincial Treasury, which it oversees. In turn, the Gauteng Provincial Treasury, despite being overseen by the Portfolio Committee, is a strategic partner in oversight, as the former monitors expenditure in Gauteng Provincial Government departments.

“Over time, Gauteng Provincial Treasury has provided the Portfolio Committee with expenditure trends of the Gauteng Provincial Government and where necessary, provided expert advice on how expenditure anomalies should be addressed to ascertain that provincial departments do not exceed their allocated budgets,” the statement concluded. – SAnews.gov.za