South Africa has been given a narrow window to turn the ship around. Whether this Budget becomes a footnote or a foundation depends on what happens next — in Cabinet, in the SOEs, in municipalities and in the daily grind of governance
The EFF criticises it as ‘unimaginative’ and not benefiting poorer South Africans, while the DA calls it a step towards ending ‘unchecked government spending’
Given the shaky coalition government, two sections in the Constitution appear to create a quandary regarding ministers actions in the cabinet
It is high time for policy reckoning in the GNU
The Democratic Alliance launched the application against the finance minister, the South African Revenue Service, the Speaker of the National Assembly and the Chairperson of the National Council of Provinces.
The saga reflected political sniping and the inability of parties in the government of national unity to cooperate
The Gold and Foreign Exchange Contingency Reserve Account is not a piggy bank that can be used to solve South Africa’s fiscal problems.
Increasing value-added tax shifts the weight of systemic dysfunction to households already buckling under the pressure of inflation and economic exclusion.
They need to stop squabbling about how much we tax or borrow and concentrate on how effectively we spend.
The Trump factor, plus the ANC and the DA playing to the brink, has cost the country R1 trillion
South Africans have, in recent years, looked beyond the ANC in hope of finding new voices capable of holding the line on spending and corruption. Instead, what they have received is a bewildering capitulation and weak opposition
The ANC has bought itself time to decide whether to expel its constantly restive coalition partner
This is a moment that calls for strong leaders and a united nation. Right now, we don’t have either
And R447.7 billion was returned to taxpayers, says South African Revenue Service commissioner Edward Kieswetter
The ANC has so far rejected conditions on which the DA would agree to support Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana’s 0.5 percentage point VAT increase for the coming fiscal year
But there is concern about the proposed VAT increase and its possible effect this may have on the customers of members of the Association of Comms and Technology
There are alternatives which don’t add to the financial burden of citizens and which are better for fiscal sustainability
Industrial policy must be boldly reimagined if the erosion of the productive base is to be reversed
Budget approval hangs in the balance and resistance to it is set to play out in the legislature’s finance committees
The minister conceded that the measure did not have support across the political spectrum
Members of the government of national unity and opposition parties have raised concerns that the ongoing impasse between the ANC and DA could trigger the need for fresh elections
The problem isn’t value-added tax – it’s relentless taxation amid financial mismanagement
The finance minister now has to choose from several options presented by a task team to draw up a budget
The Democratic Alliance has suggested cutting government budgets for advertising, travel and catering, and a freeze on hiring for non-essential positions to make up the budget shortfall
Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development Mmamoloko Kubayi has been removed as the head of the party’s economic transformation committee
Tax bracket over-inflation has led to income inequality and less money for essential services
The government is struggling to generate sufficient revenue development and deal with the country’s debt-to-GDP ratio
The rand depreciated after the postponement of the budget speech to 12 March
The South African clothing industry bemoans injustice as the Reserve Bank loses R3.5 billion as a result of lower duties on imported products
Online gambling winnings in South Africa are taxable and must be declared on your annual tax return
With the country’s economy on the brink, the ‘Big Three’s’ employment and growth promises hold more weight than ever
A report suggests that government could save R150 billion in wasteful expenditure if it stopped overpaying its contractors