There'll be an agreement, says DA on budget deadlock

THE DA is confident President Cyril Ramaphosa will deliver on some of the proposals they've put forward as the parties in the Government of National Unity (GNU) continue being divided over the proposed budget which is set to be decided on Wednesday.

- NICOLA DANIELS

It has been reported that the DA has apparently agreed to support the budget in its current format, which included a VAT hike of 0.5% or 1% over two years in exchange for the scrapping of the National Health Insurance (NHI), the Basic Education Laws Amendment Act (BELA) and the Expropriation Act among others.

While not specific on their considerations, DA national spokesperson, Willie Aucamp told the Cape Times yesterday that his party presented a document two weeks ago which the ANC rejected two days ago, but negotiations were ongoing. The party's federal executive was meeting about the issue yesterday evening.

"We presented a document to the ANC 14 days ago already, that was a substantial document we put on the table concerning all the measures that will enhance growth in the economy, job creation, as well as cost cutting measures.

"The ANC came to us two days ago and they said that they are not accepting the document, that they expect us as their coalition partner to accept the budget and support it. We cannot do that.