insert_link South Africa South African Local Government Association Proposes Zero-VAT on Water and Electricity South Africa's Local Government Association has proposed the zero-VAT-rating of essential items like water and electricity. SALGA's Sabelo Gwala says taxing luxury goods will increase government revenue, suggesting a staggered VAT approach. This comes ahead of Finance minister Enoch Godongwana’s revised budget next Wednesday following disagreements over a potential VAT increase. Gwala warns that a blanket VAT hike would have severe consequences: today5 March, 2025 42
insert_link South Africa In S.A, ANC calls for a constructive, informed, and sober debate on the budget In S.A, the ANC Veterans' League is calling for a constructive, informed, and sober debate on the budget. ANC Veterans' League president, Snuki Zikalala, says the government should avoid drastic expenditure slashing and must also be mindful of the sentiment of citizens, who struggle with high unemployment and the ongoing high cost of living. Meanwhile, the DA says it refuses to be held hostage or intimidated by the ANC’s blatant […] today3 March, 2025 42
insert_link South Africa In South Africa, SARS Commissioner urges Strengthening Tax Collection, Not Hikes South African Revenue Service Commissioner, says raising tax revenue should start with strengthening collection capacity, and not hiking taxes. Edward Kieswetter addressed a panel discussion at a G20 Finance Trackside event in Cape Town on Wednesday. Last week, Godongwana was unable to table the national budget, over disagreements within the government of national unity on a proposed two-percent value-added tax hike. today27 February, 2025 39
insert_link South Africa S.A’s Presidency Minister Dismisses Budget Clash as ANC-DA Battle S.A's minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni has dismissed claims that budget disagreements are a battle between the DA and ANC. She said the decision to postpone the budget to 12 March was made by the cabinet as a whole, not by individual parties and that even ANC ministers had differing views on the proposed VAT increase: today20 February, 2025 45
insert_link South Africa S.A Finance Minister Accuses Cabinet of Leaking VAT Hike Plans S.A Finance minister Enoch Godongwana has accused some cabinet ministers of leaking plans for a VAT increase to the media. In a media briefing, Godongwana said the government of national unity will work towards an agreement before the budget is presented on 12 March: today20 February, 2025 55
insert_link Business / Economics In S.A, COPE Urges Godongwana to Prioritize Economic Growth in Budget To South Africa now, where the Congress of the People is calling on Finance minister, Enoch Godongwana, to deliver a budget that prioritises heightened economic growth. COPE’s, Pake Dikgetsi, says they are warning that austerity measures targeting social services, while billions are lost to corruption will push the country further into a crisis Meanwhile, the GOOD Party Secretary-general, Brett Herron, says as things stand, around 18-million South Africans are poor […] today19 February, 2025 42