Ramaphosa says the Budget will be passed, with or without the DA

PRESIDENT Cyril Ramaphosa has expressed confidence that the budget will still be approved, regardless of the opposition from the DA.

- PULE MAKGALE [e-mail]

The budget, which has already faced widespread rejection from several political parties, is at the centre of a heated political battle, particularly over the controversial proposed increase in the Value Added Tax (VAT) and the Expropriation Act.

Despite pushback from key coalition partners within the Government of National Unity (GNU), including the DA, the African National Congress (ANC) is now turning to opposition parties outside the coalition to secure the necessary votes to pass the budget.