'Godongwana must resign'

REMARKS: SHOW 'ARROGANCE, INCOMPETENCE'

- Ryk van Niekerk

After 27 years as a journalist, I am rarely surprised. But during my interview with Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana on RSG Geldsake, just hours after he delivered his 2025 budget speech, I was astounded.

I asked why he did not announce targeted spending cuts, as the budget suggests a total expenditure increase of 7.8%, nearly double 2024's inflation rate. "There are no spending cuts in this budget at all," Godongwana said.

Later in the interview, I asked him who made the decision to change course. He said: "I take responsibility for that decision."

He doubled down the following day at the News24 business budget briefing, stating unequivocally that he decided to increase value-added tax alone.

"I plead guilty," he said. "I woke up one day and said, everybody has been attacking me for austerity. I am sick and tired of it. This time, I am going to raise tax."