Parliament Hosts Budget Vote Debates in Mini-Plenaries This Week

Cape Town, Monday 30 June 2025 — Parliament will convene a series of mini-plenary sessions this week to debate budget votes for various government departments, continuing from Tuesday 1 July through Friday 4 July. These deliberations follow the recent tabling of the national budget by the Minister of Finance, which outlines the state’s spending and revenue plans for the 2025/26 financial year.

Each parliamentary committee is tasked with scrutinising the budgets and performance plans of its corresponding department. These budget vote debates provide a platform for Members of Parliament (MPs) to assess how well departments have delivered on prior commitments and whether public funds have been used responsibly.

Beyond financial oversight, the debates serve as a key tool for public accountability. Parliament emphasises the importance of meaningful public participation in the budget process, arguing that such engagement not only ensures transparency but also promotes more effective and equitable allocation of state resources.

These proceedings are underpinned by the Money Bills Amendment Procedure and Related Matters Act of 2009, which empowers Parliament to make changes to the national budget, including amendments to individual departmental allocations.

Mini-plenaries function as extensions of the National Assembly (NA), with all relevant rules and protocols applying. Media professionals seeking to cover the sessions must adhere to specific guidelines:

Media Access Rules:

• Filming: External videographers are not permitted to film proceedings. Accredited broadcasters must apply for access to Parliament’s live feed via the Broadcast and Audiovisual Unit at least one day in advance.

• Photography: Photographers must obtain prior permission through the Parliamentary Communication Services’ Media Relations Unit. Flash photography and tripods are prohibited, and photographers must wear identifying bibs and follow all instructions from parliamentary officials. Media outlets must commission photographers for them to be granted access.

Budget Vote Mini-Plenary Schedule (1–4 July 2025):

Tuesday, 1 July

• 14:00–16:00: Vote 22 – Correctional Services (Good Hope Chamber)

• 16:30–18:15: Vote 27 – Office of the Chief Justice (Good Hope Chamber)

Wednesday, 2 July

• 10:00–12:00: Vote 40 – Transport (Good Hope Chamber)

• 14:00–16:00:
  • Vote 14 – Statistics South Africa (Good Hope Chamber)
  • Vote 33 – Human Settlements (M46, Marks Building)

• 16:30–18:15:
  • Votes 11, 7, & 12 – Public Service and Administration, National School of Government, Public Service Commission (Good Hope Chamber)
  • Vote 34 – Mineral and Petroleum Resources (M46, Marks Building)

Thursday, 3 July

• 14:00–16:00:
  • Vote 17 – Higher Education (Good Hope Chamber)
  • Vote 31 – Employment and Labour (M46, Marks Building)

• 16:30–18:15:
  • Vote 6 – International Relations and Cooperation (Good Hope Chamber)
  • Vote 20 – Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities (M46, Marks Building)

Friday, 4 July

• 10:00–12:00:
  • Votes 28, 24 & 21 – Police, IPID, and Civilian Secretariat for Police (Good Hope Chamber)
  • Vote 39 – Trade, Industry and Competition (M46, Marks Building)

• 13:00–15:00:
  • Vote 4 – Government Communications and Information System (Good Hope Chamber)