Cape Town – Although budget consultations are still underway, the Democratic Alliance (DA) has confirmed that its leadership will join supporters at the court hearing this week to oppose the 0.5% Value-Added Tax (VAT) increase.
The case will be heard at the Western Cape High Court on Tuesday, April 22, ahead of the VAT hike’s implementation on May 1, as announced by Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana.
🎥 | Watch live on Tuesday as DA leadership stands with supporters at the Western Cape High Court, where our case to stop the VAT hike will be heard, before it impacts struggling South Africans on 1 May.
🗓️Date: 22 April
🕗Time: 08h15 pic.twitter.com/D5EDnW6h5V— Democratic Alliance (@Our_DA) April 19, 2025
The DA, which opposes the 2025 national budget, claims the increase will worsen the cost-of-living crisis for the poor.
Although the budget passed with support from parties like ActionSA, IFP, and GOOD, the DA and other opposition parties — including the EFF and MK Party — voted against it.
Meanwhile, according to EWN, Godongwana has argued that court challenges by the DA and Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) against the 0.5% VAT increase are irrelevant, as the decision has already been made and is set to take effect on 1 May.
In his response to their High Court applications, Godongwana dismissed claims that his announcement was unlawful and said the VAT decision remains legally valid, the report said.
He emphasised that the fiscal framework adopted by Parliament is not legislation and does not impose taxes but outlines revenue proposals.
He has asked the court to dismiss both cases and award legal costs.
