A group of non-governmental organisations (NGOs) has renewed calls for developing countries to tax the super-rich and stop tax abuse by multinational companies to raise funds for their developmental needs. The NGOs, including African Monitor, Aid Link Organization-South Sudan, Alternative Information and Development Centre (AIDC), Child’s Destiny and Development Organisation (CHIDDO), Committee on Fiscal Studies,… Continue reading NGOs Renew Calls to Tax the Rich and Immediately Stop Tax Abuse by Multinational Companies
Tag: Value-Added Tax (VAT)
Why the EFF Went to Court About the Fuel Levy: A Regressive Tax that Punishes the Poor and Violates Budgetary Processes
On 21 May 2025, South Africa’s Minister of Finance, Enoch Godongwana, announced a 4-cent fuel levy increase as part of the revised 2025/26 Budget, breaking a three-year freeze on such levies. Set to take effect on 4 June 2025, this translates to a 16-cent-per-litre hike on petrol, pushing prices to between R3.85 and R4.01 per… Continue reading Why the EFF Went to Court About the Fuel Levy: A Regressive Tax that Punishes the Poor and Violates Budgetary Processes
Godongwana says Future Budget will be Crafted Early to Avoid Crippling Fallout because he ‘Learnt Lessons’
The Minister of Finance, Enoch Godongwana has admitted that they have learnt their hard lessons out of the 2025-2026 budget impasse and in future, budget processes would be started around September every year so that by February the following year, all hurdles have been cleared. Godongwana made this admission while briefing the media today, April… Continue reading Godongwana says Future Budget will be Crafted Early to Avoid Crippling Fallout because he ‘Learnt Lessons’
SARS Gives Directive to Vendors on How to Process VAT after Latest, Sudden Changes
The South African Revenue Service (SARS) has given directives to vendors on how to process VAT claims following the decision by the government to scrap the increase to 15.5 percent – from 15 percent. In the directive issued on 25 April 2025, SARS Commissioner Edward Kieswetter said the decision has significant practical implications for VAT… Continue reading SARS Gives Directive to Vendors on How to Process VAT after Latest, Sudden Changes
Herman Mashaba Takes a Jab at DA, says VAT Scrapping Achieved By Parties Outside GNU, Not Any Court Challenge
The leader of ActionSA, Herman Mashaba, took another jab at the DA today, saying the scrapping of the VAT increase was achieved by parties outside the government of national unity (GNU), not by any court action. Mashaba was speaking in Sandton on Thursday, April 24, where parties including the ANC, Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP), BOSA… Continue reading Herman Mashaba Takes a Jab at DA, says VAT Scrapping Achieved By Parties Outside GNU, Not Any Court Challenge
Defending Governance: A Generational Appeal for Rational Leadership in the Age of Reactionary Noise
The recent decision by the Minister of Finance, Comrade Enoch Godongwana, to retract the proposed VAT increase has triggered a whirlwind of commentary—from within the African National Congress (ANC) itself, and predictably, from the Democratic Alliance (DA), the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), and other reactionary actors now fishing in judicial waters. While we await the… Continue reading Defending Governance: A Generational Appeal for Rational Leadership in the Age of Reactionary Noise
ActionSA Vows to Withhold Budget Support if ANC Pushes VAT Increase
ActionSA, the kingmaker party that helped the ANC to pass the 2025-2026 budget without the support of its coalition partner the DA, says it would withhold its support if the VAT increase proposal is implemented from 1 May 2025. The party’s parliamentary leader, Athol Trollip, says they still have the cards to block the move.… Continue reading ActionSA Vows to Withhold Budget Support if ANC Pushes VAT Increase
Budget Passed After Bitter Fight, Forcing DA to Decide Whether to Stay in the GNU or Leave
The contentious budget for the 2025-2026 period has been passed with 194 votes against 182 while its legality is still in question. After it was passed ANC MPs were heard shouting “Abahambe” (they must leave), meaning the DA should leave the government of national unity (GNU) after opposing VAT increase. The DA led the opposition… Continue reading Budget Passed After Bitter Fight, Forcing DA to Decide Whether to Stay in the GNU or Leave
BREAKING NEWS: Government Rams Through Contentious VAT Increase Despite Opposition From Many Quarters
Despite opposition from many quarters, including most opposition parties within the government of National Unity (GNU), the Minister of Finance, Enoch Godongwana has announced a value-added tax (VAT) increase of 0.5 percentage point. Godongwana announced the increase a short while ago while delivering the 2025-2026 budget in Cape Town today, March 12. He said there… Continue reading BREAKING NEWS: Government Rams Through Contentious VAT Increase Despite Opposition From Many Quarters
South African Finance Minister’s Budget Speech Cancelled Amid Cabinet Disputes Over Proposed VAT Hike
In an unprecedented move since the dawn of democracy in 1994, the South African government has cancelled Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana’s 2024/2025 budget speech due to policy disputes within President Cyril Ramaphosa’s Government of National Unity (GNU). The governing African National Congress (ANC) and its grand coalition main partner, the Democratic Alliance (DA), could not… Continue reading South African Finance Minister’s Budget Speech Cancelled Amid Cabinet Disputes Over Proposed VAT Hike