The Economic Freedom Fighters has used Easter to draw a connection between the teachings of Christ and the ongoing struggles of the oppressed, both in South Africa and in Gaza.

It extended it wishes to Christians on Friday, while condemning the violence faced by Palestinian civilians under apartheid Israel.

Domestically, it criticised rising inequality, VAT hikes and the political alliances it said betrayed the poor and working class.

“Like Christ, the EFF continues to wage a struggle for economic freedom because we know, as Jesus knew, that the suffering of the poor is not a natural condition, it is the result of political betrayal and moral decay,” EFF spokesperson Sinawo Thambo said in a statement on Friday.

“In a South Africa where the ruling elite chooses to increase VAT on basic goods instead of taxing wealth, where a Government of National Unity partners with former oppressors and where children are not safe in their schools — the Easter message stands as a call to rise and resist.”

The EFF drew attention to the ongoing suffering of the Palestinian Christians and civilians in Gaza, who continued to endure unimaginable hardship under what it describes as the brutality of apartheid Israel.

Highlighting the recent bombing of a Christian hospital on Palm Sunday, which was one of the remaining sanctuaries for the wounded, the party condemned the escalating violence, calling it a direct assault on human dignity and sacred spaces.

“Already, entire communities have been displaced, some of the oldest churches destroyed, and lives lost in a brutal genocide that the global community continues to ignore. We stand firmly in solidarity with the Christians of Palestine who now commemorate Easter under bombs and rubble,” Thambo added.

The EFF has also issued a call for responsible travel over the Easter weekend, urging all road users to exercise caution and prioritise safety. Emphasising that road safety was a collective responsibility, the party stressed that the spirit of Easter should go beyond symbolic gestures

“… and we appeal to all citizens to drive with care and respect for life. Let this also be a time of generosity and compassion: give to the less fortunate, break bread with your family, and reflect on the true essence of this holy period,” Thambo said.

INSIDE POLITCS

The post EFF connects Easter message to struggles of Gaza and SA’s marginalised appeared first on Inside Politic.

Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana has dismissed the Democratic Alliance court challenge to set aside the budget fiscal framework as legally flawed and a misinterpretation of the law.

In court papers opposing both the DA and the Economic Freedom Fighters, Godongwana argues that the applications by both parties are not sound.

The two parties argue that the process followed by the National Assembly and the National Council Provinces in adopting the 2025 budget fiscal framework report was unconstitutional and, therefore, it should be set aside and declared invalid.

In the papers filed in the Western Cape High Court on Thursday, the minister said the two parties misunderstood the law on which they premised their arguments to challenge the report or to interdict the value-added tax hike which comes into effect on 1 May.

On the DA challenging his powers to increase the VAT by 0.5 percentage points and then another 0.5 percentage points on 1 April 2026, Godongwana said the announcement was legally within his right as he was empowered by law to do so.

“The relief would be moot. The decision to introduce the VAT increase has been made. My decision to introduce a VAT rate change cannot be interdicted at this stage.

“Since its announcement, the decision has been widely communicated across the country, and businesses and consumers alike have relied on it in planning for the next financial year ahead. The VAT rate is therefore set to increase to 15.5% on 1 May 2025,” the minister said in the court papers.

He said the argument by the DA to challenge his powers to increase VAT during the budget was also legally flawed because in terms of the law, he has the powers to hike taxes temporarily for 12 months to allow Parliament to pass a law or amend it.

If Parliament is unable to pass a law or amend it in the 12 months, then that hike would be reversed and no longer apply.

Godongwana said the decision to permanently implement the 0.5% VAT hike was still going to be taken by Parliament and he was confident that this would get majority support in the legislative house.

“In due course Parliament will consider and debate the proposed legislation, and to the extent that it sees fit, pass or amend it in accordance with the procedures set out in the Money Bills Act.

“The power of the minister of finance to temporarily adjust the VAT rate during the annual budget speech serves as a crucial purpose. Section 7 (4) enables the executive to address urgent budget pressures without permanently altering tax legislation, thus striking a balance agile fiscal management and Parliament’s ultimate authority,” he said.

The minister argued that there needed to be swift executive action because economic conditions could shift rapidly, and the money bill process could take months or years. If the government had to wait for that process to unfold, the state’s finances might deteriorate, or funding of core public services could be jeopardised.

INSIDE POLITICS

The post Gondongwana says VAT hike will happen appeared first on Inside Politic.

The Economic Freedom Fighters is going to mobilise students across campuses following a fatal shooting at the Walter Sisulu University’s Mthatha campus on Tuesday.

A student was shot dead and two others injured during a protest over residence-related issues, including maintenance. It is alleged that a residence manager used live ammunition to disperse the students.

Police say the administrator was attacked at his house by protesting students.

“The EFF will be mobilising together with the Youth Command structures across all campuses to ensure that justice is not only demanded, but delivered,” the EFF in the Eastern Cape said in a statement.

“Should our calls be ignored, the EFF will not hesitate to engage in further action in defence of our students and the right to safe, fair and humane learning environments.”

It has been a rocky start to the academic year, with students protesting at higher education institutions across the country over various issues.

Political parties have condemned the latest incident and called calm at the university.

DA MPL Yusuf Cassim said the incident should not be viewed in isolation, but rather as the most recent outcome in long-standing pattern of instability, poor oversight and unchecked escalation at the institution.

“This tragic shooting comes less than a month after the university shut down all campuses due to violent protests and raises serious questions about what steps, if any, were taken in the interim to address the causes of unrest and restore safety,” he said in a statement.

“In March, those protests escalated into violent actions, including the intimidation of non-striking students, the forced evacuation of staff and security personnel, vandalism of university property and the suspension of academic operations across campuses.”

Operations at the campus have been suspended.

“Clearly, there is a breakdown in communication, and university management appears incapable of managing the situation,” Cassim said.

The DA and the GOOD Party want a full investigation into the shooting.

“I will call on the premier to immediately deploy an interdisciplinary team to the campus, including SAPS, community safety, Social Development and other role players to stabilise the situation and support students on the ground,” Cassim added.

Student Representative Council (SRC) president Themba Zikhali has demanded that the university addresses grievances and justice for the dead student.

He said students have been protesting since the beginning of this academic year about the issue regarding residences, residence appliances, the visitors’ policy, water, curtains and WI-FI.

The GOOD Party said that tensions have been escalating at universities in recent years, and it was deeply alarming that pursuing education had come at a cost.

“The university experience should be one of intellectual growth, cultural exchange and empowerment – not fear and trauma,” it said in a statement.

“Instead, the south African reality for many students is marred by financial exclusion, accommodation crises and administrative inefficiency. These issues must not be normalised.”

Higher Education and Training Minister Nobuhle Nkabane has engaged with the university’s Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Rushiella Nolundi Songca, to get a full briefing and offer the department’s support.

The minister has also requested that the university furnishes her with a comprehensive report on the incident as a matter of urgency.

She will visit the university in the coming days to engage with stakeholders, assess the situation on the ground and ensure that appropriate measures are taken to protect the university community.

“Dr Nkabane is resolute that no student should ever be harmed while accessing their right to education. This must be the last time we are forced to respond to such a tragedy at our institutions of higher learning,” her department said.

INSIDE POLITICS

The post Further protests threatened after student shot dead at WSU appeared first on Inside Politic.