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EFF Takes Legal Action Against 2025 Fiscal Framework, Denies ANC Meetings
The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) has rejected claims that they were in discussions with the African National Congress (ANC) before filing court papers to challenge the 2025 fiscal framework and the controversial VAT hike.
The EFF filed its legal documents in the Western Cape High Court on Tuesday, seeking to have the 2025 fiscal framework and revenue proposals declared unconstitutional and invalid following the budget’s passage last week.
The legal challenge came just hours after the ANC revealed it was still negotiating with its coalition partner, the Democratic Alliance (DA), regarding their disagreement over whether to continue their collaboration in the Government of National Unity (GNU). This was in the wake of the DA filing its own legal challenge against the ANC’s budget approval, after voting against the ruling party in the National Assembly.
The EFF’s court application argues that the adoption of the fiscal framework and revenue proposals by the National Assembly was both unlawful and unconstitutional. The party contends that the Standing Committee on Finance neglected to comply with the Money Bills Amendment Procedure and Related Matters Act, which requires a clear statement on accepting or amending the fiscal framework before any report can be adopted.
Amid the filing of these papers, there were claims within the party that the EFF had been in talks with the ANC, awaiting the ANC’s decision on the future of the DA’s involvement in the GNU. However, EFF spokesperson Sinawo Thambo refuted these claims, stating that the party filed the court papers independently.
“We have not engaged in talks with the ANC regarding the GNU at any point,” Thambo said. “Our focus has always been on pushing for a budget that prioritizes the poor and job creation in our discussions with other political parties.”
Thambo explained that the decision to proceed with the legal challenge was based on the party’s assessment of the situation, whether to intervene in the ongoing DA case or pursue their own case. He dismissed the talks with the ANC as gossip designed to distract from the impact of the VAT hike, which he argued would harm the poor when it comes into effect on May 1, 2025.
During the budget’s passage, the EFF voted alongside the DA and the Freedom Front Plus against the ANC’s proposals. The party also sent a letter to the Speaker of the National Assembly, Thoko Didiza, warning of the legal uncertainty that could arise if the fiscal framework was adopted through an unlawful process.
“The fiscal framework is not just a routine budget document—it is the foundation upon which all other financial legislation for the year is built, including the Division of Revenue Bill and the Appropriations Bill. If the Fiscal Framework is adopted unlawfully, all related legislation will face legal challenges,” the EFF wrote.
ANC spokesperson Mahlengi Bhengu-Motsiri declined to comment on the issue.
Political analyst John Molepo suggested that should the ANC sever ties with the DA, the ruling party might need to offer significant incentives to the EFF to secure its support.
“The ANC likely reached out to the EFF in a bid to ensure their backing,” Molepo said, adding that the outcome of the legal cases filed by both the EFF and DA could have far-reaching implications for the country’s fiscal policy and the role of Parliament in holding the government accountable.
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Sourced:IOL
Picture: EPA/Nic Bothhma
