ANC’s Mbalula accuses DA of using VAT increase for political point scoring
The VAT increase has divided the two parties, following the DA's refusal to vote for the adoption of the fiscal framework in Parliament earlier this week.
ANC Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula during a media briefing at Luthuli House in Johannesburg on 13 March 2025. Picture: Spamandla Dlamini/EWN
JOHANNESBURG - African National Congress (ANC) secretary general Fikile Mbalula has accused the Democratic Alliance (DA) of using the contentious 0.5% value-added tax increase (VAT) for political point scoring.
The VAT increase has divided the two parties, following the DA's refusal to vote for the adoption of the fiscal framework in Parliament earlier this week.
ALSO READ: ANC's Mbalula on DA's GNU future: 'The ball is in your court'
Minister of Finance Enoch Godongwana revealed last week that the DA had agreed to support the VAT increase on condition that the Exportation Act is scrapped.
Mbalula said this proves the DA is being disingenuous.
“The arrogance of the DA needs to be tamed. They are arrogant. They've got no respect. All that's important to them is that they must win. You can't find a solution by grandstanding, and that's what the DA has done thus far.”
ACTIONSA JOINING GNU NOT RULED OUT
The ANC has not ruled out the possibility of ActionSA joining the Government of National Unity (GNU) following its fallout with the DA.
While the DA refusing to back the fiscal framework in Parliament has brought uncertainty to its future in the GNU, ActionSA has said it's willing to take the DA’s spot.
ALSO READ: 'We are not going to be fooled by the ANC' - ActionSA's Trollip
Mbalula said the party has already started engaging Herman Mashaba’s political party.
“We have had a very decent and good discussion with ActionSA. They’ve shown that they love this country, and that’s what we respect them for – not positions – and that’s what is important for us going forward.”