BOSA brings Gauteng Government’s R1.8 Billion underspending before the Gauteng Legislature

Build One South Africa (BOSA) Member of the Gauteng Provincial Legislature, Ayanda Allie MPL, has today delivered a Members’ Statement spotlighting and condemning the shocking return of R1.8 billion by the Gauteng Government to the National Treasury due to underspending in the 2024/2025 financial year.

These figures are alarming,” said Allie in her address. “At a time when our province is buckling under the weight of poverty, joblessness, collapsing infrastructure, and failing healthcare, this level of underspending is both unacceptable and irresponsible.”

BOSA is calling for:

• A full and transparent account from relevant MECs on the reasons for this chronic underspending.
• A clear action plan from the Premier with timelines and measurable targets to eliminate underspending across all departments.
• A shift toward a more capable, accountable, and responsive provincial administration that delivers on its constitutional mandate.

The statement highlights the failure of the provincial government to fully utilise its allocated budget, despite urgent and widespread service delivery challenges facing communities across the province.

The breakdown of the returned funds includes R569.2 million from the Office of the Premier and R1.2 billion from the Gauteng Provincial Legislature

The Members’ Statement also referenced the persistent underspending patterns in previous financial years:

• The Department of Social Development returned R554 million in 2023/2024 due to tender delays.
• The Department of Health returned R1.1 billion, citing poor financial controls.

Premier Panyaza Lesufi has publicly acknowledged the issue, but BOSA maintains that acknowledgment alone is not enough. Urgent action and accountability are needed.

“We need to move from statements to solutions. The return of R1.8 billion is a slap in the face of every Gauteng resident still waiting for decent healthcare, quality education, safer communities, and real job opportunities,” said Allie.

BOSA will continue to use every available platform in the Legislature to fight for better governance, efficient public spending, and the restoration of public trust.