MTBPS – Every additional Rand of revenue collected is one Rand less which we have to borrow.

Loading player...
GUEST – Musa Manyathi Director for Tax at Deloitte Africa



Our public finances are significantly weaker. The main budget deficit has increased by R54.7 billion compared with the 2023 Budget estimates. This reflects lower revenue performance, higher wage bill costs and higher projected debt-service costs.



The main reasons for this are a sharp fall in corporate income tax, particularly from the mining sector, although personal income tax collection was better than forecast. The result of the shortfall is a substantial worsening in the main budget deficit in the current fiscal year.



We are now projecting a deficit of 4.9 per cent of GDP compared to our previous estimate of 4.0 percent. Under these circumstances, measures to stabilise public finances and reform the economy to generate higher growth are essential. We recognise that alongside these measures, our most effective way of funding government is through an efficient tax administration and by broadening the tax base.



SARS will continue its focus on enforcing compliance in areas such as debt collection, fraud prevention, curbing illicit trade, voluntary disclosures, and encouraging honest taxpayers to comply voluntarily. Every additional Rand of revenue collected is one Rand less which we have to borrow
1 Nov 2023 4PM English South Africa Business News · Investing

Other recent episodes

Is SA’s gambling surge getting worse?

A recent study by Trade Intelligence shows that 39% of online betters are gambling more than they did a year ago, what’s more is that people are prioritising betting over basics, like groceries. Salem Nyati, Consumer Financial Education Specialist at Momentum Group Foundation talks about factors behind the continued rise…
17 Feb 2PM 15 min

Repossessed Properties in South Africa: Are They Really a Bargain?

As property prices continue to climb across South Africa, the dream of home ownership is drifting further out of reach for many first-time buyers. In that environment, repossessed properties are increasingly being marketed as a smart shortcut into the market, discounted, distressed sales that appear to offer instant value. Tonight…
17 Feb 2PM 14 min

Q4: 2025 Labour Data Unpacked - Seasonal Relief vs Structural Reality

With the Q4 2025 Quarterly Labour Force Survey released today by Statistics South Africa, the national conversation is once again focused on the headline unemployment rate. However, the deeper story emerging from recent labour-market trends points to far more consequential questions about youth exclusion, job quality, long-term unemployment, and the…
17 Feb 2PM 15 min

Q4 2025 Labour report: Gains in jobs, but youth and underemployment remain a concern

South Africa’s labour market showed modest signs of relief in the fourth quarter of 2025, according to the latest Statistics South Africa (StatsSA) Quarterly Labour Force Survey. The official unemployment rate declined slightly to 31.4%, marking the second consecutive quarterly decrease and the lowest reading since mid-2020. This was supported…
17 Feb 2PM 13 min

Eskom’s 6% wage increase proposal rejected by unions

Two of South Africa's (SA) biggest trade unions have rejected an improved 6% salary increase offer from state-owned power utility Eskom, their representatives said this Tuesday. Eskom has dragged on Africa's largest economy for years, owing to power cuts and the company's financial troubles, but improved performance from its coal-fired…
17 Feb 2PM 9 min