Parliament, Thursday, 11 September 2025 – The Joint Standing Committee on the Financial Management of Parliament (JSCFMP) on Tuesday evening noted Parliament’s draft annual performance plan (APP) and budget for the 2026/27 financial year and undertook to scrutinise it closer once the final budget allocations are confirmed.
The presentation was made in compliance with the Financial Management of Parliament and Legislatures Act, which requires that the APP and budget be prepared and tabled at least 10 months before the start of the financial year.
The committee heard that the APP is informed by the priorities of the 7th Parliament, which focus, among other things, on strengthening oversight through data and accountability mechanisms, improving law-making to be evidence-based and impactful and enabling meaningful public participation.
Members also heard that the draft budget that was first tabled in May this year, totalling R5.1 billion, has now been revised upwards to R5.87 billion. This is due to costs relating to the appointment of a contractor for the Old Assembly component of the parliamentary rebuilding project. The committee heard that there are engagements underway with National Treasury to address Parliament’s budget shortfalls. This month, technical discussions are scheduled between Parliament’s management and Treasury officials, which will be followed by meetings between Parliament’s executive authority and the Minister of Finance. These engagements, members heard, will determine how the revised requests can be accommodated within the indicative allocations provided by National Treasury.
The committee tabled a proposal to establish a multi-party budget forum that will complement the work of the executive authority and parliamentary management in engagements with National Treasury. This, it was argued, would strengthen accountability and ensure that all political parties represented in Parliament contribute to shaping its financial framework.
Both the Speaker of the National Assembly, Ms Thoko Didiza, and the Chairperson of the National Council of Provinces, Ms Refilwe Mtshweni-Tsipane, endorsed the proposal in principle and said it is something that should be explored further. They said that resource constraints should not be allowed to undermine Parliament’s constitutional responsibilities of oversight, accountability and public participation. A budget forum would ensure that all political parties represented in Parliament contribute to shaping a transparent and sustainable financial framework, while strengthening accountability for expenditure.
While members welcomed the presentation, they were concerned about the pace of the rebuilding project. The committee resolved to undertake a site visit to the parliamentary precinct to assess progress on the rebuilding project and to confirm that timelines and budgets are being met.
ISSUED BY THE PARLIAMENTARY COMMUNICATION SERVICES ON BEHALF OF THE CHAIRPERSONS OF THE JOINT STANDING COMMITTEE ON THE FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT OF PARLIAMENT, MR SOVIET LEKGANYANE AND MS SANNY NDHLOVU.
For media enquiries or interviews with the Chairperson, please contact the committee’s media officer:
Name: Alicestine October (Ms)
Cell: 083 665 4345
E-mail: aoctober@parliament.gov.za