EFF writes to Didiza on finance minister’s VAT U-turn
The EFF has written to National Assembly speaker, Thoko Didiza, about what is says it the urgent constitutional and parliamentary implications arising from Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana’s public withdrawal of key components of the 2025 National Budget.
Godongwana announced the reversal of the 0.5-percent VAT rate increase, and declared his intent to withdraw both the 2025 Appropriation Bill and the Division of Revenue Bill.
The EFF says it has requested the immediate circulation of all related correspondence from Godongwana to the Office of the Speaker.
The party has also called for Godongwana to resign.
Earlier this week, the Western Cape High Court heard the urgent application brought by the DA to interdict the 1 May VAT hike and challenge the process in Parliament that led to the fiscal framework being adopted.
The EFF applied to join the DA in the legal challenge.
Advocates for both parties presented arguments in court on Tuesday.
READ: Mbalula: No party should take credit for VAT U-turn
Judgement has been reserved.
Dr Bhasela Yalezo, a senior business and leadership lecturer at the UKZN, believes the developments around the VAT rate and budget could be a turning point for Treasury.
" Those are signs of a maturing and healthy democracy where people use different avenues to block what they think is not right or what they think is not going to assist us as South Africans.
"This is going to be a good lesson in the Ministry of Finance. Before they table the budget, they will need to convince or persuade other political parties, unlike what has happened in the past 30 years."
Find us on social media
Follow the ECR Newswatch WhatsApp channel here
