By Johnathan Paoli
In a show of public mobilisation and political defiance, the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) led its victory march from the Union Buildings to the National Treasury, declaring it a “people’s triumph” against anti-poor economic policies and a clear rejection of the proposed value-added (VAT) tax increase.
“This march is more than just a celebration, it’s a warning. We are here to say: no more austerity, no more anti-poor budgets. We are not governed by accountants. We are governed by the people, and the people reject economic oppression,” EFF leader Julius Malema said outside the Treasury’s office.
The march, billed as a victory celebration after halting a proposed two percentage point VAT hike, quickly evolved into a full-scale confrontation with government austerity and the economic direction championed by the National Treasury.
It comes just days before Finance minister Enoch Godongwana tables the new budget.
Malema praised the EFF
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