Opposing parties have pleaded with Mboweni to refrain from giving further bail-outs to state-owned entities, and National Treasury has recently announced that the current economic path is unsustainable with the country facing the triple threat of slow economic growth, unemployment and high rates of inequality.

The Finance Minister is anticipated to make announcements on Eskom, other embattled state-owned entities, and indicate any adjustments that may be recommended to Parliament in respect of the current year’s expenditure plans. 

“Our economy is on the verge of collapse, local governments are in disarray, public finances are still being squandered and our “zombie” state-owned entities pose a serious fiscal risk. We can only hope that the Finance Minister will be able to reassure rating agencies and that the MTBPS will provide a clear direction to stabilise the economy.” This is according to the DA.

Eskom is crippled with debt and the National Assembly has approved the Special Appropriations Bill, which brings Eskom at the edge of gaining its R59 billion government bail-out over the next three years, as Mboweni laments the power utility’s problems are more than requesting bail-outs because competent management is required to upkeep its sustainability.

The South African