VAT hike set to haunt ANC

LOCAL GOVT POLLS: MORE PUNISHMENT AWAITS PARTY

- Eric Mthobeli Naki

The ANC is going to be punished once more by the disgruntled electorate in the 2026 local government elections and other polls over the proposed 2% VAT hike and the return of load shedding, experts say.

Independent political commentator Pule Monama said Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana might have hammered the last nail in the ANC's coffin.

"This is another nail in the ANC coffin, it's a self-inflicted act. The minister of finance, who himself does not have a very clean history, must be careful that he might cost the ANC whatever votes they might have got," Monama said.

Unisa political analyst Prof Lesiba Teffo said any increase in VAT would "definitely have an impact" on the ANC performance in future elections.

"It will be in the hearts and minds of the people when they go to the elections next year and beyond. It could reach that point.