The revision is driven by a national addition allocation of R1.15 billion and provincial adjustments amounting to R102.75 million. Tabling the provincial adjustment budget on Tuesday (2/11), finance, economic development and tourism MEC Ketso Makume said the province had faced considerable fiscal pressures during the planning cycle.

During the 2025 budget engagements, provincial departments outlined in-year budget constraints amounting to R2 billion. “We had very open discussions, and everyone understood that the provincial fiscus is very constrained and cannot accommodate this quantum of pressure.”

To address these challenges, the province undertook deliberate internal shifts and efficiency measures, Makume said. 

The speaker of the Free State legislature, Mxolisi Dukwana, presided over the tabling of the adjustment appropriation bill. Photo: Facebook

“We decided on the following: the reprioritisation of current budget baselines within and outside departmental allocations on slow-spending items; the upward adjustment of the 2025/26 provincial revenue estimates; and the consideration of equitable share rollover requests by departments.”

The department of health receives the largest share of the adjustment, with an additional R415.16 million. The education department will receive R476.95 million, aimed at meeting growing cost pressures in the sector.

Social development requested a rollover of R9.10 million to settle prior-year commitments. After verification, the executive council approved R8.9 million.

A total allocation of R4.2 million has been made to arts and culture to address goods and services pressure, refurbish the Basotho Cultural Village in the Golden Gate Highlands National Park, and improve security at sports centres and libraries.

The economic development and tourism department’s budget is adjusted upward by R7.5 million, while public works receives R62 million to partially address municipal services budget pressures. In addition, the executive council approved an equitable share rollover of R1.84 million, bringing the total adjustment to R63.84 million.

The community safety, roads and transport allocation increases by R166 million. Of this, R7 million is earmarked for the compensation of employees, while R159 million relates to a conditional grant rollover for the Welisizwe rural bridges programme. The human settlements budget is adjusted upward by R18 million.

R15 million to fight FMD

The agriculture, rural development and environmental affairs department receives R45.71 million, including R15 million dedicated to responding to outbreaks of foot-and-mouth disease.

Unlike other departments, Treasury’s budget decreases by R2.97 million. Cooperative governance and traditional affairs submitted a rollover request to cover outstanding commitments from the previous year. The executive council approved R10.87 million, based on verified invoices.

The legislature is allocated an additional R13.84 million to support constitutional oversight, research, and evaluation. A further R3.03 million is provided for the compensation of employees as a direct charge against the provincial revenue fund, in line with the Financial Management of Parliament and Legislatures Act.

‘The public would witness tangible benefits from the adjusted budget as departments begin implementing programmes at community level’

Makume stressed that the public would witness tangible benefits from the adjusted budget as departments begin implementing programmes at community level. He emphasised that the outcomes of the revised budget would be visible when services are delivered directly to people’s doorsteps, while monitoring mechanisms will ensure that funds are utilised appropriately.

Free State premier MaQueen Letsoha-Mathae will closely oversee each department to uphold good governance, he vowed. The provincial administration would intensify efforts to curb the misuse of public funds by working to reduce irregular and fruitless expenditure.

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OFM News/Kekeletso Mosebetsi, Refilwe Bekane cvs