There has been much speculation on who is going to deliver that Budget Speech 2018. Some South Africans have called for President Cyril Ramaphosa to axe the current Finance Minister Malusi Gigaba because of his alleged links to ex-president Jacob Zuma.
The much debated issue might be have been put to bed this morning during the launch of the National Treasury’s online budget portal.
Sfiso Buthelezi, the South African Deputy Minister of Finance, answered the question on behalf of Gigaba saying that the Finance Minister will be delivering the budget speech.
The deputy minister also alluded that it was unfair to ask deployees (Ministers) if they will still be in their positions as it is only the president who knows that.
President Cyril Ramaphosa will have to hold his own media briefing about the future of ministers, Buthelezi explained. “We all know that is the prerogative of the president.”
After the State Of The Nation address on Friday last week Gigaba told journalists that he serves at the pleasure of the president. This was after he had been asked if he would be delivering the budget speech.
The online budget portal that Gigaba introduced is call called “Vukela Mali”. Loosely translated it means the opening up of the country’s coffers or Treasury, for all.
Gigaba says South Africans from all walks of life will now be able to access budget information at the push of a button.