ANC still willing to talk to DA about other money bills needing Parly approval

CAPE TOWN - The African National Congress (ANC) is still willing to sit down with the Democratic Alliance (DA) to discuss other money bills that form part of the budget and still need Parliament's approval.

The ANC also said that once it gets the much-needed growth in the economy, there won't be any need for another VAT increase in the future.

The passing of the fiscal framework and the revenue proposals was the first hurdle for the ANC and the Government of National Unity (GNU), with more clashes expected when the National Assembly and NCOP consider other money bills, including taxation bills on Friday.

The National Assembly successfully adopted the fiscal framework on Wednesday, an integral part of the budget which includes the VAT increase.

The two houses of Parliament will on Friday have to process another batch of money bills, which include the Taxation Laws Amendment Bill and other legislation.

But the head of the ANC's economic transformation committee, Zuko Godlimpi, doesn't expect a different posture from the DA, but says their door remains open.

"We’ve been talking to them until today, so we've kept an open door with them. We are still willing to talk to any political party and listen to their views on how they think we should approach the other bills that are coming on Friday."

DA spokesperson, Willie Aucamp, said the DA's position won't change on the other money bills, saying other parties would also vote against them when they see that the 0.5 percentage point increase remains in place.

"They have been fooled by the ANC to think Treasury will take that out. Treasury has got no power to take that out."