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"When Minister Pravin Gordhan says that taxpayers should get value for their money, he should not only combat corruption, but take hold of the spending of all government departments. To give R200 million to the SABC as a result of maladministration, is not value for money. Local government will also have to be looked at incisively, where city councils spend millions of rand on luxurious parties and conferences. It is expected of the taxpayers to tighten their belts, but then government departments will also have to do it. The possibility of broadening the tax basis will have to be looked at very seriously, as 7 million taxpayers can not keep on paying for 50 million people," Mr. Pieter Groenewald (MP), the FF Plus Parliamentary Leader said.

"Generally speaking the Minister has a more realistic approach, especially his forecast that the growth rate will be 3,2% over the next three years. What is disconcerting however, is that the percentage of government lending will increase from 23% to 41% of GDP in the next three years. Money which is borrowed has to be paid back with interest and it will be the taxpayers who will have to foot the bill. The creation of 4,5 million job opportunities over the next 5 years is a big challenge for government. The debate as to whether the government is moving more to the left with Minister Patel at the head or more to the right with Minister Manuel in charge is actually irrelevant as this budget is an in-between Gordhan managed budget," Groenewald said.