SA eyes DOGE task force launch

Following in the footsteps of the United States, South Africa is set to launch its own version of the US Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE, known locally as Targeted and Responsible Savings (Tars).

Source: Supplied. GCIS. Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana.

Its main role? To eliminate programmes no longer meeting the targets set out by government policy in a bid to streamline government spending and to reallocate resources to more pressing concerns.

Tars will identify a list of programmes aligned with objectives outlined in the new spending guidelines published last week, and with a strong track record – the culmination of a year-long review initiated last year with budget efficiency as its main priority.

“This initiative forms part of the broader budget reform agenda aimed at ensuring that the national budget reflects South Africa’s most pressing needs and highest-impact interventions,” Treasury said.

The programmes will align with government’s development plans.

After cabinet approval, each programme will undergo a spending review that could result in discontinuation in the 2026/27 fiscal year, the guidelines state.

Spending reviews will outline the potential efficiency gains and savings of projects, or highlight their offer of value for money.

“Cabinet might choose to close, scale back, or, in some cases, retain programmes with efficiency enhancements, with the aim to redirect the funds toward current spending pressures,” Treasury said.