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ActionSA Leader Says ANC Can No Longer Impose Its Will
ActionSA leader Herman Mashaba says the African National Congress (ANC) must come to terms with the reality that it can no longer govern unilaterally. His remarks follow the Finance Minister’s decision to withdraw a controversial VAT hike, which sparked backlash from coalition partners.
The move has been hailed by several parties in the Government of National Unity (GNU) as a sign of South Africa’s evolving democracy. They argue that under the new multi-party structure, no single political party should have the power to impose decisions on the nation without consultation.
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On Thursday, various GNU members held a joint briefing in Sandton following the reversal of the proposed 0.5 percentage point VAT increase. Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana had originally planned to introduce the hike, but the announcement was met with resistance from coalition partners who said the ANC had failed to engage them.
The backlash forced a delay of the Budget Speech in February after parties accused the ANC of attempting to act without consensus despite no longer holding a majority.
At the briefing, Mashaba said the withdrawal of the VAT proposal was not just a political win but a win for South African democracy.
“The reversal of the VAT increase is a victory that belongs to you, the people of South Africa, and to our maturing multi-party democracy. Let us celebrate that you denied any political party a majority and the power to determine budget unilaterally,” Mashaba said.
He stressed that no political party, including the ANC, should be able to enforce financial decisions without buy-in from other members of the GNU.
Although ActionSA played a key role in opposing the VAT hike, Mashaba clarified that the party is not looking to formally join the GNU.
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Sourced:EWN
Picture: Timothy Bernard/Independent Newspapers
