Gauteng MEC for Finance and Economic Development, Lebogang Maile, has retabled the budget, increasing it to R172.3-billion.
He said this adjustment comes as a reaffirmation of Gauteng’s commitment to service delivery and socio-economic development.
“Honourable members, let me now turn to the budget allocations. In the previously tabled budget, we presented a provincial budget of R171.5-billion for the 2025/2026 financial year. Today, we are increasing the budget for this financial year to R172.3-billion.
Unspent funds and revenue over-collection
“This translates into an increase of R886.6-million. These additional resources were made possible through the provincial allocation of unspent funds and revenue over-collection from the previous financial year,” said Maile.
The increase follows public concerns earlier this year regarding reported underspending by the province. Maile noted the R1.8-billion that was said to be underspent and would need to return to National Treasury.
He clarified that these funds were not lost. They were instead reverted to the Provincial Revenue Fund, and are now being re-allocated to key programmes.
“We must re-emphasise that service delivery is a top priority for the Gauteng provincial government,” Maile said.
He highlighted that the reinjection of funds reaffirms the government’s transparency and its intention to redirect resources effectively.
The newly allocated R886.6-million has been spread across various departments to address pressing challenges.
Job creation
He said the Office of the Premier will receive an additional R50-million to support Nas’iSpani. The project is a youth skills development programme led by the Gauteng City Region Academy (GCRA).
This comes as Gauteng’s unemployment rate rises to 34.7%, severely affecting young people.
The Department of Economic Development will get R100-million. Of this, R60-million will boost the SMME Loan Funding Support. And it will complement the initial R40-million allocated earlier this year.
Another R40-million is directed at enabling the department to meet its SMME development targets.
He said the Department of Human Settlement has been allocated R332-million. This with R232-million focused on improving sanitation services in informal settlements. And R100-million is earmarked for land acquisition and securing finished structures to combat illegal land invasions.
Roads, traffic lights
The Department of Roads and Transport receives R314.9-million. Of this, R150-million targets the upgrading of 54 priority roads across five corridors. R115-million is for traffic and streetlight repairs. The remaining funds will ease budgetary pressures on goods and services.
The Department of Agriculture and Rural Development is allocated R23.8-million. And the newly created Department of Environment receives R18-million for operational capacitation.
Additionally, R50-million is assigned to the Department of Environment for its clean and green initiative with municipalities.
Maile reiterated that the remaining departmental budgets for the 2025/2026 year remain unchanged under the Medium-Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF). But it still reflects a continued focus on social investment.
The Gauteng Provincial Legislature gets R1.2-billion for 2025/26. It rises to R3-billion over the MTEF, to support the expanded number of political parties in the legislature.
Department of Health receives R67.1-billion for 2025/26, and R141.9-billion over the MTEF to modernise infrastructure, digitise records, and strengthen public health delivery.
Education
The Department of Education has been allocated R68-billion in 2025/26. And R211.2-billion across the MTEF to improve education access and quality. This especially in ECD and foundational learning.
Department of Social Development will receive R5.4-billion for the financial year. It grows to R16.9-billion over the MTEF. And this is to support the vulnerable through integrated poverty and hunger elimination strategies and skills development.
Cooperative Governance, Traditional Affairs and Urban Planning receives R551.3-million in 2025/26. Also R1.7-billion across the MTEF, to drive integrated planning and governance.
Community Safety gets R2.3-billion in 2025/26 and R6.8-billion over the MTEF. This to enhance police visibility, school safety, and monitor SAPS performance. These include the deployment of Gauteng Traffic Wardens.
Sport, Arts, Culture and Recreation is allocated R1-billion for 2025/26 and R3.1-billion over the MTEF. R40.8-million is earmarked for high-profile events like the Soweto Marathon. And R7.9-million is for social cohesion and indigenous games.
The Department of e-Government receives R1.5-billion in 2025/26 and R4.8-billion over the MTEF. This to expand ICT infrastructure and Wi-Fi access. And to implement township CCTV surveillance to fight crime and vandalism.
Provincial Equitable Share
While the budget remains robust, Maile noted a reduction in national transfers due to changes in the Provincial Equitable Share formula, resulting in a R6.2-billion decline over the MTEF. However, this is partially offset by additional funding.
“The 2025 MTEF Budget comprises of transfers from the national government with the Provincial Equitable Share growing by an annual average rate of 4 percent from R133.9-billion in the 2025/2026 to R138.9-billion in 2026/2026 and R144.2-billion in 2027/2028 in the outer years of the MTEF.
“The adjustment in the data formula of the Provincial Equitable Share has resulted in the overall decline in National Government transfers to the province amounting to R6.2-billion over the 2025 MTEF.
“However, additions have been made to the Provincial Equitable Share as part of continued support provided to the province to respond to pressures emanating from the public sector wage agreement,” said Maile.
He said despite budget revisions and reprioritisations, the priorities highlighted in the SOPA are funded in this 2025 MTEF Budget.
