Gauteng Economic Development MEC, Lebogang Maile, has highlighted the significant strain that the cost of servicing the e-tolls debt has placed on the province's budget. Despite this financial challenge, Maile reassured the provincial legislature that the budget remains in a "fairly healthy" state.
Delivering the province’s medium-term budget on Tuesday, Maile acknowledged several fiscal constraints, including a loss of R6 billion due to population overstatement, R15 billion lost from equitable debt, and a staggering R20.1 billion impact from the e-tolls debt. However, he emphasized that, despite these setbacks, Gauteng's finances are still stable and the province continues to manage its resources effectively.