Malema criticises Mashaba over VAT increase

ECONOMIC Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader Julius Malema didn't mince his words yesterday, when he called out ActionSA leader Herman Mashaba.

- SIMON MAJADIBODU

He said Mashaba was “an old crook” alongside other parties that supported the passage of the 2025 National Budget.

“Last week, we fought with them in Parliament, and when we were fighting, they teamed up in secrecy and managed to pass the VAT increase,” Malema said.

His remarks followed the passing of the budget by 192 Members of Parliament (MPs) last week, with 182 MPs voting against it.

The African Transformation Movement (ATM), EFF, uMkhonto weSizwe (MK Party), Freedom Front Plus (FF Plus) and ACDP, along with the Democratic Alliance (DA), voted against the fiscal framework.

In contrast, the African National Congress (ANC), ActionSA, Build One South Africa (BOSA), Al-Jamah-ah, PAC, UDM, GOOD Party, IFP and PA voted in favour of the framework.