Days of ANC bulldozing other parties over, say experts

The postponement of the budget will reflect badly on investor confidence in South Africa, experts said.

- Eric Mthobeli Naki

But it indicates the ANC is confronted with the reality that it is no longer in control and cannot bulldoze other parties into submission any more.

Political economy analyst Daniel Silke and independent political analyst Sandile Swana said the shelving of the budget not only indicated the differences within the government of national unity (GNU), but showed the DA's power to put its foot down in opposing the ANC policies within the unity government.

Swana said the ANC caused the disagreement by rebelling against previous agreements influenced by big business that the GNU should implement no tax increases for some time.