MK Party ‘no spare wheel for ANC to use’ in budget vote spat

MK party secretary-general Floyd Shivambu says his party will not be used by the ANC to scare their coalition partner, the DA.

The two biggest parties in the ruling government of national unity (GNU) are locked in meetings this weekend to iron out their differences over the national budget. At the heart of their disagreement is a value-added tax (VAT) increase that takes effect on 1 May.

Earlier this month, the National Assembly approved a report adopting the national budget.

On 2 April, 194 Members of Parliament (MPs) voted in favour of the Standing Committee on Finance’s report on the fiscal framework and revenue proposals, while 182 MPs opposed it.

However, the budget has not been without opposition from several political parties, with the DA having taken the matter to the Western Cape High Court.

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The ANC has met with several parties to discuss the budget in an attempt to find solutions to the impasse.

MK party on ANC meetings

Speaking outside the Protea Community Hall, where the MK Party is hosting the inaugural Jacob Zuma lecture, Shivambu said the ANC had invited his party to the meeting.

However, the party rejected the advances.

“We responded that we do not want to enter the domestic affairs of the so-called government of national unity (GNU). If they have a budget impasse, that is their own issue. They have constituted a government with representatives of a colonial system of racism and apartheid, so they must sit and handle their own issues.

“They cannot militarise us as some spare wheel to scare the DA. They cannot go to the MK party to get their immediate wish, and then we must rush [to their aid], as if we are desperate for power.

“We know that, as the MK party, we represent the majority of the people of South Africa. We’re not desperate to enter power through the ANC coalition or arrangement. We can take power single-handedly as an organisation. We have the necessary capacity to take power by ourselves.

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EFF and ANC

The EFF, led by leader Julius Malema, took a different approach and met with the ANC on Friday.

Instead of snubbing the ANC, the EFF attended the meeting, where it expressed its disapproval of certain decisions while sharing its submissions.

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The party said it reaffirmed its rejection of a 0.5 percentage point increase in value-added taxes as a mechanism to generate revenue in the meeting.

“Our rejection of VAT hikes was exhibited by our vote against the adoption of the Standing Committee on Finance’s report in the National Assembly, which was a product of a flawed and irregular process now subject to judicial review.

“The EFF wants to make it categorically clear that we are under no illusion that there is any legislative possibility of reversing the VAT increases which were supported in the Fiscal Framework and Revenue Proposal by various political parties in the Standing Committee on Finance and subsequently, in the National Assembly.

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“Our engagements with the ANC must therefore not be mistaken as participation in a fruitless exercise to seek alternatives to the VAT increases within 30 days under the false hope that such alternatives will be implemented before 1 May 2025. This is simply not practical, realistic or legislatively permissible.”

Rise Mzansi and IFP

The ANC also met with Rise Mzansi.

“The ANC continues to prioritise constructive dialogue in pursuit of national stability and sound governance. As part of this commitment, the ANC Negotiating Team, led by Secretary General Comrade Fikile Mbalula, held a productive meeting with the Rise Mzansi, led by National Chairperson, Vuyiswa Ramokgopa,” said the party on Friday.

It also met with the IFP.

“The discussions focused on the implications of the recently adopted fiscal framework and to resolve the budget impasse by reinforcing confidence in the national budget rocess. The parties agreed in the urgent need to explore fair and sustainable revenue alternatives.”