CLOSE to R549.3billion has been allocated by the MEC of Finance in Gauteng.
During his 2026/27 Budget address, Lebong Maile was at pains outlining that competing priorities are the results of ballooned budget.
Most of which, for the next three years’, will be allocated to social services, education and health.
Of this amount R179.2-billion is allocated for 2026/27, followed by R182.4-billion in 2027/28, and a further R188.2-billion in 2028/29.
“The budget that we are presenting today (Tuesday) increases by R3.6-billion from 2025/2026 to 2026/2027, representing growth of 2% year on year, while over the 2026 Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) it grows by 5.2%,” tabled Maile.
Most of the province’s spending will continue to go to the social sector, particularly health, education and social development programmes, which account for 83% of the total budget.
Education has been allocated R70.9bn, and R221.8-billion over the three-year MTEF period.
Department of Social Development will receive R5.6-billion in 2026/27, increasing to R17.2-billion over the MTEF.
The funding will support food security programmes, homelessness interventions, child and youth care centres and substance abuse treatment.
Department of Roads and Transport receives R10.2-billion in 2026/27 and R27.8-billion over the MTEF to improve transport infrastructure, upgrade strategic roads and support access to special economic zones.
Department of Human Settlements has been allocated R5.5-billion in 2026/27 and R16.6-billion over the MTEF to upgrade informal settlements, provide interim sanitation and deliver housing projects.
Additional funding has also been allocated to departments responsible for economic development, infrastructure delivery, municipal support and community safety, says the MEC.
He was at pains outlining that the province has already paid R9.3 billion towards the principal e-toll debt of R20-billion, with R4.6-billion required for the next instalment in June 2026. R6.2-billion more is yet to be paid.
“We must be honest about our fiscal reality and the nature of obligations that significantly narrow our room to manoeuvre,” he said.
Despite these pressures, he said the provincial government would continue prioritising services that directly affect residents.
“We must protect front-line services, but we must also demand better performance from every rand through targeted and responsible savings as an ongoing feature as we strive to close leakages and root out inefficiencies.
“This budget is sensitive to the lived realities of our constituencies, it is a budget of uplifting human dignity, the restoration of law and order; and to protect the most vulnerable in our society,” he indicated.
With opposition parties at odds, its unknown if they will vote in favour of the budget.
Image SLM (MEC Finance- Gauteng, Lebogang Maile, presented his 2026/27 Budget allocation of R549.3bn).
