Today, Tuesday the 17th March 2026 MEC for Finance, Economic Development and Tourism in the Free State, Ketso Makume tabled a R47.9 billion budget for the 2026/27 financial year.
In further strengthening the fiscal outlook, Makume said the province is expected to save R261 million from the Early Retirement and Voluntary Exit Programme in 2026/27, R206 million in 2027/28, and R210 million in 2028/29.
MEC Makume acknowledged that, if the province is to work better, the state of municipalities must improve.
To strengthen and stabilise local government, the MEC indicated that the provincial government, through the Office of the Premier, COGTA, and Provincial Treasury, is currently intervening in eight municipalities, including Mangaung Metro, in terms of Section 139 of the Constitution.
Furthermore, intervention teams have been deployed to these municipalities to assist with financial, institutional, governance, and service delivery matters.
The allocations are as follows per department:
