GNU parties need to put political interests aside to break budget deadlock - Analysts
Strong opposition to the proposed VAT increase, both from within and outside the GNU, has prompted the ANC to revisit national budget discussions.
Graphic: Xanderleigh Dookey Makhaza/Eyewitness News
JOHANNESBURG - Some political analysts believe parties in the government of national unity (GNU) must put their political interests aside to break the current budget deadlock.
Talks aimed at resolving the impasse continued on Sunday, with the ANC meeting the Freedom Front (FF) Plus in search of a consensus.
Strong opposition to the proposed 0.5 percentage point VAT increase both from within and outside the GNU has prompted the ANC to revisit national budget discussions.
During the first round of negotiations, the Democratic Alliance (DA) sent a letter to the president, stating it would agree to the VAT increase, provided that the controversial Expropriation Act is withdrawn.
Some have interpreted this move as a sign that the DA is less concerned about the 0.5% VAT hike and more interested in leveraging the issue for its own political gain.
Political analyst Bheki Mngomezulu believes the budget deadlock will only be resolved if all parties are willing to put aside their individual agendas.
"Whatever agreement they reach will not be reflective of them thinking about the country, but it will be them satisfying their political egos. So given that context, I would say yes. They will pretend to be finding each other for their political expediency and not necessarily for the interests of the country."
Another analyst, Goodenough Mashego, questions whether the parties are negotiating with the best interests of South Africans in mind.