Structural reforms to introduce competition to energy generation, rail: Godongwana

Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana says part of the structural reforms is to introduce competition to energy generation as well as other sectors like ports and rail to be run by third parties.

“Talks about structural reforms are important to introduce competition in ports and introducing competition in rail.”

Godongwana was speaking virtually in the National Assembly on Friday as the House considered the adoption of the Medium Term Budget Policy Statement and the Adjustment Appropriations Bill.

The National Assembly has passed this year’s Medium Term Budget Policy Statement by 206 votes against 117. The Mini Budget was tabled by Minister Godongwana last month.

The Minister has also reacted to criticism that the structural reforms are dragging. He says the government is redoubling its efforts to reconstruct and stimulate the economy.

The government says it’s redoubling efforts in stimulating economy:

He has also insisted that the Auditor General’s audit outcomes for departments and state-owned companies show huge improvements.

“The audit outcomes say, in fact, there’s a huge improvement in managing our books and that improvement means we got 71% unqualified reports. The distinction is two: the unqualified reports with findings and the unqualified reports with findings but the total reports of unqualified is 71% which is an improved performance indeed by our departments across the board.”

Meanwhile, there has been condemnation of the international travel ban against South Africa following the discovery of the Omicron virus. Opposition parties have opposed the mini-budget tabled last month.