By Doreen Mokgolo
- The party marched to the National Treasury demanding tax hikes for the rich, not the poor.
- Julius Malema says the government must invest more in education, housing, health and jobs.
Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader Julius Malema says they will vote against the proposed 2025/2026 budget if it does not focus on improving the lives of black, working class and poor South Africans.
Malema was speaking on Monday during the EFF’s VAT Victory March from the Union Buildings to the National Treasury in Tshwane. Thousands of party members joined the march.
The EFF is celebrating the Western Cape High Court ruling which suspended the proposed VAT hike and scrapped the 2025 Fiscal Framework and Revenue Proposal.
The court victory, the party says, is a win for ordinary people hardest hit by rising living costs, and a reminder that the rich must be taxed more, not the poor.
Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana is expected to table the revised budget this week, after two failed attempts. Both the EFF and Democratic Alliance blocked the previous version with their combined majority in parliament.
Malema said they will continue to reject any budget that cuts essential services.
“If the revised proposed budget cuts education, health, we won’t support it,” he told the crowd.
He said the EFF wants a budget that puts more money into education, healthcare, housing and infrastructure to boost the economy and help the poor.
“We are no one’s enemy, but we are representing the black people,” he said. “We want more money to be pumped into housing. Our people have been waiting for houses for decades. Some died waiting, while the houses went to crooks connected to the ANC.”
He also slammed the government for mismanaging funds during the Covid-19 crisis.
“They went to fetch the money, which they enjoyed alone as we never saw how it benefited our people,” he said.
Malema added that although the finance minister had not consulted them, the party submitted their own amendments to the standing committee on finance.
Pictured above: EFF members.
Image source: EFF
