By Johnathan Paoli
Some political parties have rejected the recommendations of a joint sitting of the Select and Standing Finance Committees, which propose going forward with the budget, but providing National Treasury with a month to find an alternative to the 0.5 percentage points VAT increase.
The committees’ recommendations of the fiscal framework triggered a fierce political battle, with the Economic Freedom Fighters and the Democratic Alliance vehemently opposing the decision.
The African National Congress)-backed ActionSA proposal, which seeks to amend the budget while still supporting the fiscal framework, has drawn accusations of betrayal and backroom deals.
The EFF condemned the adoption of the fiscal framework, calling the process “deeply flawed, incoherent, and illegal”.
Spokesperson and committee member Sinawo Thambo argued that the inclusion of a 0.5% VAT hike and the failure to adjust personal income tax brackets for inflation disproportionately harmed the working class.
“The EFF is unapologetic in
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