Petrol will rise by R3.06 a litre and diesel by up to R7.51/litre but a temporary R3/litre fuel levy relief will be in effect until 5 May
When workers marched and criticised the macroeconomic direction under Minister Trevor Manuel, it was never about personalities. It was about policy. It was about defending jobs, state capacity and redistribution
The projected economic growth trajectory remains insufficient to address structural unemployment
The growth outlook is insufficient to alter unemployment dynamics, some argued
Parties and labour organisations have slammed the 2026 Budget for failing to tackle low growth, high unemployment, and municipal distress, while cautiously welcoming tax relief and social grant increases
National treasury officials said the costing for the deployment of soldiers in crime-affected areas — as announced by President Cyril Ramaphosa, his Sona, had not yet been done
Over the next three years, growth is projected to average 1.8% and reach 2% by 2028
Labour federations Cosatu and the South African Federation of Trade Unions have led calls for a budget that addresses massive unemployment and weak growth
The global lender said controlling the public sector wage bill would be critical and commended the government’s plans to address inefficiencies and provide incentives for early retirement
SCORE: B+ Finance minister Godongwana’s leadership this year faced its first test during the tabling of the national budget. For the first time, the budget had to be re-tabled over a dispute about a proposed VAT increase, initiated by parties in the government of national unity. The minister was required to strike a balance between […]
The finance minister announced a lower inflation target of 3%, which the South African Reserve Bank has been pushing for
The city faces grant cuts unless a credible recovery plan is submitted, as tensions grow in the governing coalition
There is not enough transparency and the funds would be better spent on health and education
The Economic Freedom Fighters slammed the ruling as setting a dangerous precedent on taxation without oversight and vowed to fight on
uMkhonto weSizwe party is calling for the nationalisation of mineral resources, land redistribution without compensation and the expansion of the VAT zero-rated basket
The EFF criticises it as ‘unimaginative’ and not benefiting poorer South Africans, while the DA calls it a step towards ending ‘unchecked government spending’
The 21 May budget is lower than the R232.6 billion proposed in the March budget that was scrapped
The finance minister said the expenditure would be carried out ‘without compromising the fiscal strategy of sustainable public finances’
In his third prepared budget for the year, the minister said government debt would still stabilise this year but at 77.4% of GDP, higher than predicted in March
Now that a VAT increase has been ruled out, the finance minister must find another way to plug a R75bn gap or risk collapsing public services and investor confidence
President Cyril Ramaphosa will use his Washington visit to demand an end to US trade tariffs and counter refugee claims of racial persecution.
The president and the national treasury launched phase two of Operation Vulindlela on Wednesday, expanding its focus areas
The Democratic Alliance is challenging the Employment Equity Amendment Act in court, saying it violates constitutional protections against unfair racial quotas
It is high time for policy reckoning in the GNU
The finance minister says his U-turn on a VAT hike was a collective decision of the government of national unity
Godongwana promises fiscal prudence in his new budget but the growth forecast may change
The saga reflected political sniping and the inability of parties in the government of national unity to cooperate
Meetings are due in coming days and weeks to undo the damage after the finance minister caved on the tax increase
The Democratic Alliance has claimed credit for the about-turn by the treasury on the tax, saying its legal team had presented a strong case against the flawed parliamentary process used to adopt the fiscal framework
The finance ministry in a midnight announcement said the decision was informed by consultations with political parties
Counsel for the EFF told the high court that ActionSA was swindled in an unconstitutional manner to support a VAT hike.
Amending his proposal at this stage would force more borrowing, the minister warned in papers filed in response to the DA