BUDGET 2017
Treasury is not to be messed with, says Gordhan, as he holds the line on fiscal discipline
The finance minister allocated no new money for the nuclear power plants favoured by President Jacob Zuma
Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan allocated no new money for the nuclear power plants favoured by President Jacob Zuma, in a budget that stressed the need to focus on fiscal prudence, reducing waste and reviving an economy expected to expand 1.3% this year. Gordhan addressed recent speculation about a Cabinet reshuffle head-on at a media briefing before the speech. The National Treasury and other similar finance structures and institutions are critical and should not be “messed with”‚ Gordhan said. Gordhan seemed unfazed by speculation of a Cabinet reshuffle‚ which could lead to him or his deputy, Mcebisi Jonas, making way for former Eskom CE Brian Molefe. “Am I going to be fired? Do you know something I don’t know?” asked Gordhan in response to a question on his uncertain future. “Both the deputy minister and I serve at the pleasure of the president,” Gordhan told reporters. “We have done the job as best we can, and our record is clear in what we have achieved in the past 14 months. ...
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