Bid to resolve Budget stumbling blocks

ANC in VAT talks with smaller parties

- MASHUDU SADIKE

THE ANC has initiated a series of meetings with smaller parties to address the Budget impasse and find a solution to the country's fiscal crisis, which has sparked concerns about the stability of the Government of National Unity (GNU).

Last week two parties, the DA and the Freedom Front Plus voted against the ANC's Budget proposal in the National Assembly, which included a VAT hike, but the ANC was able to pass the Budget with the assistance of smaller parties in the GNU and others including Action SA and Build One South Africa (Bosa).

On Wednesday the ANC continued discussions with smaller parties, including the PAC, Bosa, Al Jama'ah, and the Good Party, with secretary-general Fikile Mbalula saying the discussions focused on the adopted fiscal framework and its implications for national economic recovery and service delivery.

According to the ANC, the parties discussed proposals regarding the VAT increase and the fiscal framework.