DA trying to use budget to force reversal of Expropriation Act, Bela, NHI

After Ntshavheni’s accusations, DA leader and minister of agriculture John Steenhuisen shot out an X post saying his party will not support what he termed “the ANC VAT budget”.

“The DA wants a series of major reforms that would grow the economy, create jobs, reduce waste and bring down taxes within three years,” he said.

“The ANC must accept it no longer holds a majority.”

Ntshavheni said the cabinet had tabled the budget, as required by law — and it was now up to parliament to decide whether it will pass.

Parliament has until April 1 to pass, amend or totally reject the budget.

“It is up to the National Assembly to decide how they want to fund the government programmes. They can amend the budget or they can send it back to cabinet for it to be reworked completely with indicators of what they want to see. But that’s the deliberations that go to the [National] Assembly,” said Ntshavheni.

“As cabinet, the national executive, we have done our part. We have tabled the budget as required by law and we have tabled it within the framework provided by the law — because in terms of the Public Finance Management Act, we are required to table the budget in the [National] Assembly before the start of each financial year, which is April 1.”

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