EFF pressures ANC: Scrap VAT hike, drop DA and FF+ from GNU

By Thapelo Molefe

The EFF met with the ANC on Friday in a desperate bid to resolve the deadlock over the budget and the reconfiguration of the Government of National Unity (GNU).

Despite the meeting, which was led by ANC Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula in Sandton, Johannesburg, the EFF remained resolute in its refusal to support the 2025 budget.

On Saturday, the ANC is expected to meet with the DA in a continued effort to find common ground following disagreements over the proposed VAT increase, announced by Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana in last month’s parliamentary budget speech.

Meanwhile, the DA and EFF are challenging the adoption of the fiscal framework and the powers of the finance minister under the VAT Act in court.

In a statement following Friday’s meeting, the EFF maintained that the current budget unfairly burdens the country’s poorest citizens.

“The EFF reaffirmed its principled rejection of a 0.5