MEC Ketso Makume announced during his 2026/27 medium-term expenditure framework budget speech in Bloemfontein the office of the premier will receive R658.3m, R656.2m in 2027/28, and R655.5m in 2028/29. This total projected expenditure for the office over the three-year period amounts to more than R1.9bn.

The allocation includes R10m earmarked for the implementation of the early retirement and voluntary exit programme, as approved by the National Treasury.

However, members of the EFF and DA MPLs criticised the increase, arguing funds should instead bolster departments responsible for service delivery, such as cooperative governance and traditional affairs (and the legislature).

EFF MPL Bosanku Msimanga described the budget as overly austere, pointing out cuts across departments despite growing socio-economic pressures. “The (office of the premier), which happens to not be the service delivery department, has increased in terms of money.

“(The) premier’s office is a coordinating office, not a service delivery department. Everyone in each department, including MECs are serving at the behest of the premier. Why do you need such a large budget in your office, while directing MECs on what to do?”

Msimanga criticised what he described as duplication of services and misplaced priorities, particularly in areas such as gender-based violence interventions and healthcare challenges.

‘The budget is not balanced’

DA MPL Dulandi Leech expressed similar concerns, highlighting disparities in allocations between the premier’s office and other key departments.

Cogta has been allocated R483.5m in 2026/27, R476.2m in 2027/28, and R485.6m in 2028/29, a total of just over R1.4bn across the medium-term expenditure framework period. The department is responsible for disaster management, municipal support programmes, and water laboratory support.

“The office of the premier receives over R600m, and that office does not deliver any services. In addition to that, the legislature, which plays oversight over MECs, premier and departments, which are responsible to implement elements of the plans and budget received just over R300m, which is almost half of what the premier received, so the budget is not balanced,” said Leech.

Makume dismissed concerns that the legislature is underfunded, noting an additional R30m has been allocated to support members of the provincial legislature. He emphasised the importance of executive-led programmes under Premier MaQueen Letsoha-Mathae.

Meanwhile, Free State Treasury head of department Pakiso Lebone defended the allocation, stating departmental budgets are aligned with their respective mandates.

The bulk of the Premier’s Office budget is directed towards bursaries, community services, and the coordination of government programmes, while the legislature’s funding focuses on public participation, remuneration of members, and oversight functions, he said.

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OFM News/Kekeletso Mosebetsi sm