‘Time is almost up’ – DA issues budget ultimatum as parliament committees meet to vote

The DA has cancelled a last-minute briefing, as the rush to find a compromise on the 2025 budget accelerated on Tuesday morning.

The party’s briefing was meant to outline its position on the budget, which will be put to the vote in a joint meeting of the Standing Committee on Finance and Select Committee on Finance in parliament. Should it pass, it will proceed to the National Assembly for approval on Wednesday.

The ANC does not have enough representatives to pass the budget alone. Of the 400 seats in parliament, the party holds 159, so it must find another 42 votes. Its biggest government of national unity (GNU) partner, the DA, holds 87 seats.

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No budget deal yet

Less than two hours before the meeting began, DA leader John Steenhuisen said there was no deal yet.

“Time is almost up. Last night, the ANC refused to finalise an agreement on growth and spending reforms, imperilling the GNU.”

He said the party would oppose the budget “unless and until a written agreement is reached”.

Steenhuisen and President Cyril Ramaphosa will reportedly meet on Tuesday to continue negotiations. The ANC has also been discussing with parties outside of the GNU to seek their support if it can’t reach an agreement with the DA.

Responding to suggestions, the ANC will pass the budget without DA backing, DA spokesperson Karabo Khakhau told broadcaster Newzroom Afrika: “They must try pass that budget without the DA, we will see”

Watch: Khakhau’s comments

Speaking on the outcomes of the ANC’s national executive committee (NEC) meetings over the weekend, secretary-general Fikile Mbalula touched on the stand-off.

“The NEC has mandated the national officials to continue engagement led by the secretary-general with political parties.

“We have a team that has been engaging with political parties in the National Assembly late into the night and into this morning. We have been engaging primarily with all partners of the GNU and even those that are not part of the GNU,” he said.

He acknowledged that “conditions we operate in are not the same as before; we are now operating under conditions of power-sharing”. He added that Value-Added Tax was a sticking point both in and out of the GNU, but a resolution was needed.

“We need the budget to be passed so we can proceed to govern, stabilise the economy, and pursue economic growth.”

This is a developing story

Additional reporting by Itumeleng Mafisa

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