EFF describes Parliament's process to adopt VAT increase as 'farcical'
The DA told the court that Parliament cannot delegate its taxing power to the minister, and the power to do so should rest with Parliament.
EFF MP Omphile Maotwe outside the Western Cape High Court on 22 April 2025. Picture: Babalo Ndenze/Eyewitness News
CAPE TOWN - The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) has described Parliament’s process to adopt the fiscal framework and valued-added tax (VAT) increase as “farcical”.
Legal counsel for the EFF advocate Tembeka Ngcukayitobi made representations in the Western Cape High Court on Tuesday, as an intervening party in the Democratic Alliance (DA)'s urgent application to prevent what it's labelled an unconstitutional VAT increase that will come into effect on 1 May 2025.
The DA told the court that Parliament cannot delegate its taxing power to the minister, and the power to do so should rest with Parliament.
Both parties have described the VAT increase adoption process as flawed and unlawful.
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Advocate Tembeka Ngcukayitobi for the EFF says they are challenging the fiscal framework adoption by finance committees as this was the start of the illegality in the process.
He says the VAT increase was “substantively unconstitutional” and should be set aside.
EFF member of Parliament Omphile Maotwe told EWN outside court that their main concern was the finance committee report - which it says was adopted unlawfully.
"Therefore, the report that was adopted on the 3rd of April in the National Assembly and National Council of Provinces was adopted wrongfully so, under unprocedural grounds and, therefore, we brought it to court for the court to take a decision."
The EFF also says the VAT increase would exacerbate inequality and Parliament failed to engage with those concerns.
The court hearing continues with more submissions from the finance ministry and Parliament.