Finance Minister Tito Mboweni gave Eskom R69 billion from the state's coffers, while Denel, and the South African Post Office received more than R1 billion each and South African Airways was given a government guarantee of more than R6 billion.

"Government has reviewed the contingency reserve for 2019/20 to respond to possible requests for financial support."

Mboweni, in remarks to the media just before he delivered his budget in Parliament, suggested that National Treasury would also move to help the South African Broadcasting Corporation. The SABC has asked for a R6.8 billion lifeline.

However, Mboweni warned, that if further financial support were granted the treasury would put a chief reconfiguration officer in charge of affairs.

"The CRO will be at Auckland Park," the minister said, adding that the same applied to all entities that were given additional financial support by the state.

"You want more funding we put you under curatorship."

African News Agency (ANA)