ANC’s Chief Whip in the Free State, Neels van Rooyen, said the postponement was due to technical adjustments that had to be made to the budget. 

Van Rooyen’s statement comes ahead of Provincial Finance MEC Elzabe Rockman’s budget speech tomorrow, set to be delivered in Xhariep. 

The Budget speech was postponed following the postponement of the State of the Province Address.   

Van Rooyen says despite the delay, the province is still within the time requirements set out by the Municipal Finance Management Act (MFMA). 

He says there is a time limit set between when the national finance minister tables the budget and when the provincial Finance MECs should table theirs. He says “nothing sinister or nothing strange - it does happen”.

Among other issues still plaguing the province, Rockman is expected to speak on measures on how to rescue the financially troubled health department, which is still under Treasury’s care. 

Treasury Department's spokesperson, Tshidiso Mokokoane, told OFM News earlier this month that it's all systems go for the budget speech and that the reason for the postponement was to allow them enough time to ensure that the event is a success.

OFM News