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MEC for Finance, Mr Madala Masuku tabled a budget of R266 million for implementation of Provincial Treasury programmes on Thursday, 23 May 2013.

The budget shows marked increased in allocation to programmes that are critical to improving the overall performance of the provincial government, especially on budget management and financial governance.

Addressing the sitting of the Provincial Legislature, MEC Madala Masuku said the budget funds the priorities that Premier David Mabuza outline in his State of the Province and importantly assist the Provincial Treasury to monitor and track expenditure of the identified programmes.

Amongst key programmes that the department will implement include “Going back to the basics with financial management “project; support to Operation clean audit campaign and provincial supply chain management improvement plans. 

“The province will commission a study to investigate if the government is deriving value from public expenditure this financial year,” said MEC Masuku. The proposed study follows similar project that was undertaken by the Provincial Treasury to assess the impact of provincial expenditure in rural place in November last year. The approach to research-based planning is seen as critical to improving the quality and relevance of planning, budgeting and provision of services in the province.

MEC Masuku also said the department has set aside R3 million to capacitate officials in departments, public entities and municipalities on various transversal financial policies and systems. These funds are in addition to other allocations that will assist in strengthening capacity of the provincial public institutions on supply chain management, assets management, risks management practices amongst others.