SA heading for fiscal cliff: Flags are going up, don’t wait for a crisis, urges Kevin Lings

South Africa's Finance Minister, Enoch Godwongdwana, is set to present the medium-term budget policy statement, bringing updates on economic forecasts, budget adjustments, and necessary spending changes. However, Stanlib's Chief Economist, Kevin Lings, warns that the upcoming mid-term budget won't bring good news. Lings, in an interview with Biznews, highlights a significant deterioration in South Africa's fiscal health since the February budget. He believes that the initial projections were overly optimistic, and government spending remains unchecked. Lings anticipates a R60 billion revenue shortfall and approximately R25 billion in overspending. He expresses scepticism about the government's ability to enact substantial changes to regain investors' trust. Lings rules out staff or salary cuts in the government and believes social payments won't be reduced during an election year. South Africa, he said, is heading in the direction of a fiscal cliff. Flags are going up and he urges the government not to wait for a crisis, as it did with Eskom, but to act proactively. Ling said the market is already concerned about these deteriorating fiscal parameters and the lagging tax revenue. If South Africa however can enhance its growth rate and eliminate load shedding, the country can attract substantial foreign investment.