Latest news with #PaulMashatile
IOL News
3 days ago
- Business
- IOL News
Budget 3. 0 will be supported, confirms Mashatile
Deputy President Mashatile assures Parliament of budget 3.0's passage Image: GCIS Deputy President Paul Mashatile has announced that the partners of the Government of National Unity (GNU) have reached a consensus to coalesce around budget 3.0, affirming its imminent support in Parliament. sion, which took place at the Sefako Makgatho Presidential Guesthouse in Pretoria on Friday. The high-profile assembly featured an array of stakeholders, including ministers, deputy ministers, premiers, and director-generals. 'In the Government of National Unity (GNU), we all agreed to support the budget, so there won't be a problem. The budget will go through as presented,' asserted Mashatile, reflecting an optimistic outlook for the budget's acceptance. Last week, Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana presented his budget speech in the National Assembly, marking the third attempt to establish the Fiscal Policy Framework for 2025 after two previous failures to deliver a balanced budget. This year's financial overview transcends the mere presentation of figures; it critically illustrates South Africa's developmental priorities, financial prudence, and the state of political stability within the nation. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ The backdrop to this agreement has been fraught with challenges, particularly following the controversial reversal of a planned 0.5% increase in Value Added Tax (VAT). Godongwana has faced considerable pressure since this retraction, especially as the initial VAT hike, though supported by Parliament, was met with fierce opposition from political parties such as the Democratic Alliance (DA) and the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), who contested the decision in court. With this reversed policy, South Africa's national budget now grapples with a troubling R75 billion deficit. As the Minister for Finance, Godongwana is tasked with bridging this fiscal gap without resorting to additional borrowing or igniting further political disputes. IOL
Eyewitness News
3 days ago
- Business
- Eyewitness News
Parties in GNU have all agreed to support the budget
JOHANNESBURG - Deputy President Paul Mashatile said that parties in the Government of National Unity (GNU) had all agreed to back Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana's budget. The fiscal framework will be subject to Parliament's scrutiny in June, as MPs are set to vote for its adoption. This is going to be the second time the fiscal framework is voted on, as the previous one was set aside by the courts. ALSO READ: • Mashatile not worried by EFF's decision to challenge fuel levy increase in court • Mashatile: Many govt challenges a result of political leaders & administrative leadership not pulling together • Mashatile leads governance discussion, says corruption hinders service delivery Mashatile spoke to journalists about the budget on the sidelines of a government event at the presidential guesthouse in Pretoria on Friday. It's been an unprecedented time in South African politics, as for the first time, the African National Congress (ANC) has struggled to get the budget over the line. Despite leading a ten-party coalition government, the ANC had to lobby opposition parties to secure support for the fiscal framework. The deputy president was optimistic that this situation would not arise again, saying that budget 3.0 aligned well with the interests of all GNU members. "In the Government of National Unity, we have all agreed to support the budget. So there won't be a problem. The budget will go through as presented." The Western Cape High Court nullified the adoption of the previous fiscal framework, ruling that it had been passed unlawfully.
IOL News
4 days ago
- Business
- IOL News
Budget 3. 0 will go through, we agreed, Mashatile confirms
Deputy President Paul Mashatile has confirmed that budget 3.0 will be supported in Parliament. Image: Independent Media Archives Deputy President Paul Mashatile has confirmed that the Government of National Unity (GNU) partners have agreed to support budget 3.0. Mashatile said on the sidelines roundtable aimed at strengthening the political and administrative structures. This was held at the Sefako Makgatho Presidential Guesthouse in Pretoria on Friday. The high-level discussion was attended by ministers, deputy ministers, premiers, and director-generals. 'In the Government of National Unity (GNU) we all agreed to support the budget so there won't be a problem. The budget will go through as presented,' Mashatile. Last week, Finance Minister, Enoch Godongwana, delivered his budget speech in Parliament in Cape Town. This was the third attempt at tabling the Fiscal Policy Framework for 2025 after failing twice to deliver a balanced budget. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad loading The budget for this year was more than just a financial summary; it is a crucial indicator of South Africa's social priorities, budgetary responsibility, and political stability. After a controversial 0.5% VAT rise was reversed, Godongwana has been under a lot of strain. Despite being first accepted by Parliament, opposition parties such as the Democratic Alliance (DA) and the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) swiftly contested the increase in court. The national budget now faces a significant R75 billion deficit as a result of the reversal; the minister must close this gap without taking on more debt or stirring up further political turmoil. All GNU parties welcomed the minister's budget but emphasised that it should work for the people, especially the poor. IOL Politics
IOL News
4 days ago
- Business
- IOL News
Mashatile defends financial secrecy amid calls for transparency
Deputy President Paul Mashatile says he will not disclose his financial interests publicly outside what Parliament has provided for. Image: Independent Media Archives Deputy President Paul Mashatile said on Thursday that he will not disclose his financial interests publicly except as required by Parliament for Members of Parliament. This comes after DA MP Nicholas Gotsell stated during a question-and-answer session in the National Council of Provinces that ethical leadership required a person in a leadership position to avoid, even as much as a perception of impropriety, to maintain public confidence. 'If you agree with this statement, deputy president, will you provide this House with an undertaking to proactive transparency and voluntarily submit yourself to the Ethics Committee, publicly disclose your full financial interests?' Gotsell asked. In his response, Mashatile said he has been a Member of Parliament and legislator for many years, and it was the ANC that introduced the declaration of interest by MPs, MECs, and ministers. 'We do that all the time, so anybody who wants to know about my financial interests, what do I own, where do I live? It's all there in Parliament.' Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ Mashatile also said he had disclosed where he lived but had not told them how much he had in his bank account. 'Because Parliament did not say, I must go and declare those things somewhere publicly. They say I must declare them here.' He also said the declarations have a confidential section for an MP's spouse or family members, just as it was the case for ministers. 'Maybe if you want to know, you can go and ask the Speaker if you want to look at it,' he said. 'I don't know if they will allow you, but it's all there. So I can't then go out publicly and say, hey, this is how much I am worth. That's what I have, no, there's no need for that. I report to Parliament and the president, and that's it.' Initially, Mashatile was asked by MK Party's Mmabatho Mokoena-Zondi about steps he was taking to maintain transparency and restore public trust in his office in response to allegations of corruption that have been brought against him by the DA, including claims of benefitting from nepotism and failing to declare certain properties. The deputy president said the allegations were exactly that: they were allegations. 'The most important thing when there are allegations is proof, right, and mainly through courts of law to ensure the authenticity of the allegations so that we can conclude if one is guilty or not.' Mashatile said he had subjected himself to the necessary processes and institutions such as the ANC Integrity Commission and Parliament's Ethics Committee. 'I will continue to subject myself to the relevant institutions as established through our own Constitution.'
The Citizen
4 days ago
- Politics
- The Citizen
Starlink proposal: Mashatile says Cabinet holds final say on policy changes
Deputy President Mashatile assured MPs that all policy changes, including EEIP ownership rules, must go through Cabinet. Nothing will be changed unless the Cabinet decides so. This is what Deputy President Paul Mashatile told parliament regarding Communications and Digital Technologies Minister Solly Malatsi's decision to gazette a policy directive, the Equity Equivalent Investment Programme (EEIP). It proposes to relax the longstanding requirement that foreign ICT investors must hold at least 30% equity in partnership with historically disadvantaged Black people in SA. Cabinet holds authority to approve changes — Mashatile Mashatile addressed oral questions from members of parliament (MPs) in the National Council of Provinces (NCOP) on Thursday afternoon. Answering a question from uMkhonto we Sizwe (MK) party's MP, Seeng Mmabatho Mokoena, the deputy president clarified the need for ministers to follow proper procedures when identifying issues with legislation, emphasising that the Cabinet holds the authority to approve any changes. Mashatile stated that any changes to legislation must be presented to Cabinet and then to parliament for approval, as the 30% ownership requirement for licences is enshrined in law. ALSO READ: 'I'm viewing my options,' says Lesufi on availability for ANC's top positions 'It may well be that as a minister, once you have made your determination, Cabinet may not agree that you are right,' he said. He added that no minister has the power to change any law through regulations. 'Nothing will be changed unless Cabinet decides it should be so,' the deputy minister said. Regression of social cohesion Mashatile was responding to questions about the regression of social cohesion in South Africa, as outlined in the 2024 SA Social Cohesion Index (SASCI) research report. The study revealed that South Africa's overall cohesion level was moderate at 53.3. This reverses a prior decline but with significant provincial and dimensional variations — Limpopo showed the highest provincial cohesion, while KwaZulu-Natal had the lowest. Chief Whip of the NCOP, Kenneth Mmoiemang, raised concerns about opposition to the government's efforts to address historical inequalities and promote economic transformation. Watch Mashatile respond to questions in the NCOP here: ALSO READ: South Africa needs more leaders like Mujica Mashatile responded by outlining various programmes and measures aimed at advancing transformation, including Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment (BBBEE) and the National Development Plan. He reaffirmed the government's commitment to implementing transformative legislation enacted by the previous administration. 'Indeed, if someone wants to make some changes to any of these laws, that must then come to Cabinet and then back to parliament. There will be no shortcut, because laws are made and passed by parliament,' he said. 'There will be no shortcut' EFF MP Mathapelo Siwisa asked the deputy president about efforts to address income inequality since taking office. Mashatile said that growing the economy and providing opportunities for people to make a living are crucial for social cohesion. He emphasised the need for municipalities and mayors to work together to address local challenges. Mokoena later inquired about the deputy president's alleged accusations of corruption. Mashatile emphasised the importance of providing evidence in allegations and noted that courts of law are the appropriate forums for establishing authenticity. ALSO READ: MP claims Mashatile shooting used to justify VIP protection boost The deputy president acknowledged the existence of several allegations against him and mentioned the proactive steps he has taken, including presenting himself before the ethics committee in parliament and the ANC's integrity commission. 'But let me assure you, honourable members of the house, that I will continue to subject myself to the relevant institutions as established through our own constitution,' he said. There was an allegation that Mashatile did not declare certain things to remain transparent; he said the register in his office will be updated in a timely manner to prevent such issues. Corruption allegations He added that his office's media team is responsible for ensuring prompt responses to press and social media issues. 'I want to conclude by affirming my unwavering commitment to fully cooperate with the ethics and integrity committees of parliament as well as other law enforcement agencies or state institutions that may require clarity on any matter concerning these allegations,' Mashatile said.
