Gauteng Finance MEC Barbara Creecy has implicitly acknowledged what most taxpayers already know - that there is enough money in the public purse but a large portion of it simply goes to waste.
Speaking in the legislature yesterday, Creecy emphasised the need to rein in government spending in line with Finance Minister Nhlanhla Nene's directive last month.
On four separate occasions, Creecy made reference to wasteful spending by government departments in Gauteng. However, putting a tight rein on it would not require austerity measures, she said.
Creecy increased the budget by R237.7-million - from R86.9-billion to R87.2-billion.
"At the outset, let me make it quite clear that while we are talking about improving discipline in government spending, we are absolutely not talking about austerity measures," said Creecy.
Gauteng would also contribute R1.3-billion over the next three years to proposed budget reductions.
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