DA pushes ahead with VAT court challenge despite ANC talks

Zille

Cape Town – The DA will continue its court action against the government’s fiscal framework and revenue proposals, despite having “constructive” discussions with the ANC over the weekend, a report said on Monday.

The DA opposes the 0.5 percentage point VAT hike, arguing it will harm the economy and disproportionately affect the poor.

“We have not decided to drop the court action on the VAT case,” said DA Federal Chairperson Helen Zille, according to IOL.

The party’s court challenge, filed in the Western Cape High Court, contests the adoption of the 2025 Fiscal Framework and Revenue Proposals, claiming the decisions were flawed and unlawful.

Although the DA voted against the Budget, the ANC was able to pass it with support from other parties in the Government of National Unity (GNU).

In an interview with  eNCA, ANC secretary-general Fikile Mbalula  said that if the DA wants South Africa to function, it must cooperate in the GNU.

Mbalula emphasised the ANC’s responsibility to lead the country and warned against allowing political games to derail governance.

“We’ve got the bigger responsibility than the DA and everyone else to run this country, to lead as the leading party. Answers are expected from us, not from the DA they’ve got the luxury to want to punt political victory even where it is not needed,” Mbalula said.

He added: “If they [DA] are interested for this country to function, they will come to the party. We all want South Africa to succeed. Do you want this country to be reduced to rubble because of reckless decisions? Should the ANC behave like a small puppy in the GNU? No, we’ve got much bigger responsibility than anyone.”

Mbalula said that South Africa must come first and cannot be endangered by political recklessness, adding that the ANC would not behave like a “small puppy” within the GNU.

“Even our members, wherever they are, they scream, get the DA out, get the DA out. If we were thinking like a puppy, very small in ideas, not for South Africa and national interest, that decision wouldn’t have been taken yesterday.

“The case is for me and you who don’t have two passports, we’ve got one. South Africa must be defended at all cost, and South Africa must win and that’s what is important,” he said.

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