Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana has reduced the budget for the South African National Defence Force (SANDF).
This, he said, is due to South Africa withdrawing its troops from the peacekeeping mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
The SANDF was allocated R5 billion in the aborted March budget, but has now been reduced to R3 billion.
He said the funds have been adjusted according to the phased-out withdrawal plan.
“While the medium-term allocation is reduced, the 2025/26 allocation is increased relative to March 2025 to cover immediate withdrawal costs,” said Godongwana.
The estimates of the national expenditure (ENE) document has shown that the Border Management Authority will receive R909 million to strengthen infrastructure at the ports of entry and borderline to enforce law within these spaces.
The BMA, according to the ENE, plans to hire more staff at an estimated cost of R80.8 million.
These include 200 border guards, regional commanders, port commanders and other senior management officials.
“The authority also plans to invest in technology for developing improved systems, such as those needed to establish smart borders, which reduce the need for human intervention by processing border movements using biometric information, and enhancing internet connectivity at the 71 ports of entry. Spending on these activities is projected to amount to R116 million over the period ahead,” said Godongwana.
“Expenditure is expected to increase at an average annual rate of 12.4 per cent, from R1.4 billion in 2024/25 to R2 billion in 2027/28. The main expenditure items are related to the procurement of border surveillance equipment, ICT for the support and maintenance of Sage business management software and movement control systems at ports of entry, and improvements to, and the repair and maintenance of, infrastructure,” he added.
R885 million will go to the Electoral Commission in the next financial year for the 2026 local elections.
The Information Regulator will receive R424.2 million as a transfer over the medium term.
