GNU passing national budget allows unhindered spending for rest of financial year
The process has taken longer than it had in the past under a majority government - first over whether the budget should be funded through a VAT increase, and more recently, a squabble between the ANC and the DA over compromised ministers.
Members of the National Assembly at the National Assembly during the budget vote on 23 July 2025. Picture: Zwelethemba Kostile/ParliamentofRSA
CAPE TOWN - In a crucial test for the Government of National Unity (GNU), it’s finally passed a national budget that will allow unhindered spending for the rest of the financial year.
The process has taken longer than it had in the past under a majority government - first over whether the budget should be funded through a value-added tax (VAT) increase, and more recently, a squabble between the African National Congress (ANC) and the Democratic Alliance (DA) over compromised ministers.
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In a marathon session, the House painstakingly went through each of the 42 budget votes.
The DA backtracked on earlier threats and supported all the budget votes, while the main opposition parties stuck to their guns to reject all of them.
But inexperience tripped up the uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party at the last hurdle when it erroneously voted in favour of the Appropriation Bill.
New chief whip Colleen Makhubele begged the House’s indulgence.
“They can calm down because we are rejecting this, we are changing our vote.”
House chairperson Cedric Frolick allowed the party to redirect their votes after the voting window had already closed.
“It will not make any material difference to the outcome on the question, and that’s my final ruling.”
But the DA and the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) did not approve.
“You are making this process to have a problem of legitimacy and credibility,” said EFF leader Julius Malema.
The Appropriation Bill will still face one final test in the National Council of Provinces (NCOP) next week.