uMkhonto WeSizwe Party on Wednesday sharply criticized the government’s fiscal strategy, accusing the administration of relying on “ill informed” economic projections that fail to address the immediate needs of a population grappling with poverty and unemployment.
Des Van Rooyen, acting parliamentary leader of the MK party, delivered a blistering assessment following the Finance Minister’s budget speech, questioning the credibility of the government’s growth forecasts and the overall direction of fiscal policy.
Mr. Van Rooyen focused his attack on what he described as erratic and unrealistic economic growth projections. He noted that the government had forecasted growth at 1.1 percent for 2024 and 1.4 percent for 2025, only to now project a significantly higher figure of 1.6 percent.
“It is baffling as to what informs these projections, because they always get them wrong,” Mr. Van Rooyen said during an interview immediately following the speech. He argued that since the formation of the current Government of National Unity (GNU) in 2024, the administration has consistently failed to meet its stated targets.
When asked if he believed the miscalculations were intentional, Mr. Van Rooyen suggested the budget was structurally flawed. “Look, this is more of an exercise of balancing the book than addressing the plight of our people,” he stated. He contrasted the government’s focus on fiscal ratios and debt stabilization with the tangible struggles of ordinary citizens.
“Our people don’t want this. They want to hear how their lives are going to be improved,” Mr. Van Rooyen said, emphasizing that job creation must be the primary benchmark for success. He argued that the economy is not expanding rapidly enough to keep pace with population growth, pushing more citizens toward the “poverty trap.”
The lawmaker stressed that without a growing economy, employment, the key demand of the populace, would remain elusive. “Our people want employment now, and we only realize employment out of a growing economy. Our economy is not growing,” he asserted, pointing to widening economic disparities as a “very, very clear” reality for the nation.
The comments set the stage for a contentious parliamentary debate on the budget in the coming days.