July 206
Following BJC submission to National Treasury after participation in the macro-fiscal workshop ahead of the 2025 MTBPS and the release of its Fiscal Anchors Discussion Document, the Budget Justice Coalition submitted detailed proposals aimed at strengthening South Africa’s fiscal framework and budget process. Participants in the workshop were assured that Treasury would provide feedback on submissions so that contributors could understand how their recommendations had been considered. However, despite submitting our comments within the required timeframes, neither the BJC nor other participants received any acknowledgement or response. In February 2026, the BJC wrote to the Director-General of National Treasury requesting feedback and later raised the issue again during Parliament’s consideration of the 2026/27 Budget, where Treasury indicated that responses would be provided within six weeks. After no response was forthcoming, we wrote to Treasury again in June requesting an update.
As part of our ongoing work to strengthen meaningful public participation in the budget process, the BJC will now be writing to the Standing Committee on Finance to raise concerns about Treasury’s failure to respond to public submissions. Public participation should not end when submissions are sent; meaningful engagement requires that government acknowledges contributions and explains how they have informed policy and budget decisions.
By engaging Parliament on this issue, the BJC aims to promote greater accountability and help ensure that consultation processes are genuine opportunities for public influence, rather than procedural exercises.