RC 261021Kaya 959Glen Lewis
Wednesday, 21 October 2026
Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana's midterm budget dominated the afternoon, bringing fuel levy relief, a cut to growth forecasts and municipal finance reforms, while Bronkhorstspruit residents vowed to vote despite a water-linked outbreak.
- 15:00
Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana announced fuel levy relief on petrol and diesel from 4 November, with a further, smaller reduction continuing until 5 January 2027.
- 16:31
Godongwana lowered South Africa's economic growth forecast for this year from 1.6% to 1.2%, saying growth remains too low despite efforts to stabilise public finances.
- 17:00
Government debt has stabilised for the first time in nearly two decades, standing at 78.4% of GDP, with stronger revenue collections helping public finances perform better than expected.
- 17:01
The minister announced the first comprehensive overhaul in 23 years of the municipal finance law, requiring municipalities to adopt properly funded budgets and giving Treasury stronger powers to probe financial misconduct.
- 15:02
Residents in Bronkhorstspruit say they will vote in the 4 November local government elections despite a gastrointestinal outbreak linked to contaminated water, demanding better service delivery.