Parliament, Friday, 10 December 2021 – During its last hybrid sitting for the year, the National Assembly passed the 2021 Adjustments Appropriation Bill.
The Bill seeks to effect adjustments to the appropriation of money from the National Revenue Fund for the requirements of state in respect of the 2021/2022 financial year and to provide for matters incidental thereto.
The 2021 Adjustments Appropriation Bill was introduced in the National Assembly by the Minister of Finance, Mr Enoch Godongwana, on 11 November 2021 when he tabled the Medium-Term Budget Policy Statement (MTBPS).
The MTPBS is a government policy document that communicates to Parliament and to the country the economic context in which next year’s national budget will be presented, along with government fiscal objectives and spending priorities over the medium term (three-year expenditure period). The MTBPS was tabled in terms of section 6 (1) of the Money Bills Amendment Procedure and Related Matters Act, No 9 of 2009. The Act requires that after the tabling of the MTPBS by the Minister of Finance, the Division of Revenue Amendment Bill and the Adjustments Appropriation Bill be referred to the committee for consideration and report to the National Assembly (NA).
The Adjustment Appropriation Bill was accordingly referred to the Standing Committee on Appropriations on 24 November 2021.
The committee facilitated a process of public participation by inviting the general public and all interested stakeholders to make written submissions and comments on the Bill. The Congress of South African Trade Unions and Amandla.Mobi were among those that made comments on the Bill.
Having considered the inputs from the stakeholders, the Standing Committee on Appropriations welcomed the almost R15 billion increase to vote appropriations. The committee welcomed the proposed allocation of R7.1 billion earmarked in the 2021 budget, particularly proposed allocations towards the Presidential Youth Employment Initiative. In recognition of the impact of Covid-19, particularly on the levels of unemployment amongst the youth, the committee is of the view that there must be a framework or standard guideline on the types of jobs to be created with a benchmark remuneration standard for each job category to avoid inconsistencies and potential abuse of the funds.
The committee also welcomed the proposed R2.96 million roll-over to the Presidency for the implementation of action plans to address gender-based violence. Gender-based violence has been one of the key problems facing democratic South Africa, and the committee declared its support of government initiatives to curb and ultimately end gender-based violence in South Africa.
The committee noted with concern the R150 million declared unspent funds on the health facility revitalisation component of the national health insurance indirect grant, and R10 million on the health facility revitalisation grant of the national health insurance indirect grant. It raised its concern about the possible delays in the implementation of the National Health Insurance Scheme.
The committee also recommended that the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans provide a detailed report to Parliament on the actions taken to address the concerns of the military veterans and the implication and reasons for the R50 million declared as unspent for the military veterans’ benefits.
The Bill was passed without amendments and sent to the National Council of Provinces for concurrence.
ISSUED BY THE PARLIAMENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE SOUTH AFRICA
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