John Steenhuizen/ Picture: X(formerly Twitter)
The DA cancelled a scheduled briefing on Tuesday as negotiations over the 2025 budget intensified.
The briefing was meant to outline the party’s stance before the budget vote in parliament’s finance committees, The Citizen, reported.
If approved, the budget will proceed to the National Assembly on Wednesday.
The ANC, with 159 seats, lacks the required majority of 201 votes and needs support from its coalition partners, including the DA, which holds 87 seats.
As the National Assembly prepares to vote on the 2025 fiscal framework, the ANC and DA still do not see eye to eye on the budget. Talks between the two parties came to a standstill. ANC National Assembly chief whip, Mdumiseni Ntuli, spoke to #eNCA. #TheSouthAfricanMorning… pic.twitter.com/bvHr5dy6w5
— eNCA (@eNCA) April 1, 2025
However, DA leader John Steenhuisen said that no agreement had been reached on growth and spending reforms, warning that the party would oppose the budget without a written deal.
“Time is almost up. Last night, the ANC refused to finalise an agreement on growth and spending reforms, imperilling the GNU. The DA will oppose the budget unless and until a written agreement is reached,” He posted on X.
Time is almost up. Last night, the ANC refused to finalise an agreement on growth and spending reforms, imperilling the GNU. The DA will oppose the budget unless and until a written agreement is reached.
— John Steenhuisen MP (@jsteenhuisen) April 1, 2025
Steenhuisen and President Cyril Ramaphosa are set to meet for further negotiations, while ANC secretary-general Fikile Mbalula is expected to comment on the situation following the party’s NEC meetings.
Meanwhile, South Africa’s rand fluctuated as the budget negotiations continued.
The currency traded 0.1% weaker at R18.34 per dollar in Johannesburg on Tuesday after earlier appreciating as much as 0.3%.
DA Finance spokesperson Mark Burke says unless the DA and the ANC can agree within the GNU, there’s no point in either of them negotiating with other GNU members. Burke says those talks won’t add up to the votes needed to pass the budget.
Watch: https://t.co/bNLGNpk1OZ… pic.twitter.com/KwFLF6luKQ
— Newzroom Afrika (@Newzroom405) April 1, 2025
ANC Chief Whip Mdumiseni Ntuli says the party does not know if the DA will remain a member of the GNU if parliament passes the budget in its current form. He says no party has remained in a coalition government while it doesn’t support the budget.
Watch: https://t.co/pZgCyyrNFA… pic.twitter.com/7ultzzsgVB
— Newzroom Afrika (@Newzroom405) April 1, 2025
The IFP, which is the 3rd biggest party in the GNU, said it will be supporting the national budget.
Velenkosini Hlabisa, IFP President, said while the budget has a 1% VAT increase, it also has “cushioning” policies like increase to social welfare grants & zero-rated items. TCG pic.twitter.com/giTG2XrQVJ
— EWN Reporter (@ewnreporter) April 1, 2025
First published by: African Insider
Words compiled by: Betha Madhomu
dhomuAlso see:Ma’am Nandi Nyembe facing health and financial challenges – pleads with the public for assistance
