MK Party to introduce private member's bill to clarify what self-determination means
JOHANNESBURG - Following its visit to the white Afrikaans-only settlement of Kleinfontein, near Pretoria, the uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party has vowed to introduce a private member's bill that clarifies what self-determination means.A small delegation of the country's official opposition party visited the eastern Pretoria settlement on Monday, on what it called a fact-finding mission.
The MK Party said it suspects the settlement was abusing section 235 of the Constitution, which allows for self-determination for communities of shared common cultural and language heritage.
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The report on the Fiscal Framework and Revenue Proposals was tabled in Parliament for the third time. On Wednesday, the report garnered the majority vote from the Government of National Unity (GNU) partners and other smaller parties. The report was passed with 268 votes in favour, 68 MPs, from the MK Party, EFF and United African Transformation were in opposition and two abstained. Godongwana, who had to redraft the budget and scrap initially proposed VAT increases, said it was a painful journey to have the budget adopted. 'From the National Treasury's perspective, we drew a number of lessons, but I suspect also members of this House must draw a number of lessons as to how we in practice are to manage debate around the Fiscal Framework moving forward,' he said. The passage of the Fiscal Framework and Revenue Proposals was despite the adjustment in the fuel levy, which was criticised by many during the debate. Tabling the report, ANC MP and standing committee on finance chairperson Joe Maswanganyi said Godongwana's third budget presentation underscored a steadfast commitment to fiscal responsibility and transparency. Maswanganyi said the budget adoption process within a coalition government can be quite complex due to the multitude of interests involved as coalition partners often bring diverse priorities, ideologies, and agendas to the table, which can complicate consensus-building efforts. 'Anyone calling for the Minister's head for the budget delay, is out of tune with coalition government dynamics all over the world,' he said in veiled attack on the MK Party, whose motion to censure Godongwana failed on Tuesday. Maswanganyi said during the budget hearings, stakeholders had welcomed the withdrawal of the VAT increase and additional allocations to SARS. 'The stakeholders, however, raised concerns about the proposed adjustments to the fuel levy, the lack of adjustment to PIT (personal income tax) brackets, above-inflation increases in excise duties, the withdrawal of zero-rated food items and the National Treasury's failure to increase Social Relief of Distress grant allocations,' he said. DA spokesperson on finance Mark Burke said his party supported the Fiscal Framework because it reflected some critical breakthroughs for ordinary South Africans. 'This is not a moment for celebration, it is a moment to push even harder for real economic reform that streamlines government, creates jobs and delivers growth,' Burke said. He praised the DA's firm stance against the VAT hike, securing billions in infrastructure investment, a commitment to root out ghost workers and an urgent review of government spending. 'These represents real breakthroughs that protect both the poor and the economy, but they are not enough,' Burke said. MK Party's Des van Rooyen said the GNU has subjected the country to a high fuel levy increase. 'Fuel levy is the most regressive taxing system and far worse than VAT is,' he said. Van Rooyen also said the report refusing their proposal for the introduction of a wealth tax, confirmed that 'the so-called GNU was a platform to protect the wealthy few, using puppets'. The EFF'S Omphile Maotwe said her party rejected the Fiscal Framework that was supported by the GNU, which replaced VAT with 'the regressive fuel levy that will affect the poor and the working class and failed to adjust the personal income tax brackets in line with inflation'. 'The Minister of Finance has declared to increase fuel taxes without even bringing a bill to Parliament. This tax is already in effect. It is a violation of the basic constitutional principle that no tax be imposed without the authority of legislation,' she said. The ACDP's Steven Swart said they welcomed the removal of VAT but it was sadly replaced by the maligned fuel levy hike. 'We will support the report but will be closely monitoring it. We want to be builders, not breakers,' said Swart in backing the Fiscal Framework report. BOSA leader Mmusi Maimane, whose party abstained in the vote, said the obsession should be about the rate of investment brought into the country, saying the projected economic growth was far too low. 'I suggest that we be aggressively declaring economic zones and giving infrastructure support, digital connectivity, efficient public transport and ethical government,' he added.
Eyewitness News
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MK Party to reject Fiscal Framework and Revenue Proposals when put to vote
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IOL News
13 hours ago
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MK Party's motion to censure Minister Godongwana fails in Parliament
The MK Party's motion to censure Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana over his alleged mishandling of the Budget garnered just 48 votes in favour, while 250 from other parties opposed the motion. Image: Armand Hough / Independent Newspapers Parliament on Tuesday rejected the MK Party's motion to censure Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana over his alleged mishandling of the Budget. This was after MPs voted on the matter following a debate in a mini-plenary that took place last Friday after the party's former chief whip, Mzwanele Manyi, tabled a motion last month. In its draft resolution, the MK Party urged the National Assembly to note with grave concern that Godongwana allegedly mishandled the national Budget process. It stated that the mishandling of the Budget process included the unprecedented postponement of the tabling of the national Budget and the Budget and Fiscal Framework, which contained the regressive and unpopular VAT increase. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ According to the party, Godongwana should have been censured for the mishandling of the Budget process as 'these events collectively demonstrate a failure to uphold the constitutional principles of accountability, public participation, and sound financial management'. As the voting commenced on Tuesday, MK Party's new chief whip Colleen Makhubele asked for the division of the House. This prompted DA chief whip George Michalakis to enquire whether the party that moved the motion could ask for a division if it was backing it. House chairperson Werner Horn said the division of the House was allowed in line with the rules. 'If any four or more members demand the division, division is to be given effective,' Werner said. Announcing the voting results, Werner said the MK Party's motion garnered just 48 votes in favour, while 250 from other parties opposed the motion. 'The question is accordingly not agreed to,' Horn said when announcing the voting results. Only the MK Party with its 46 votes and a vote each from the ATM and United African Transformation backed the motion. The ANC, DA, EFF, IFP, Patriotic Alliance, Freedom Front Plus, ActionSA, ACDP, UDM, Rise Mzansi, and the National Coloured Congress voted against. The Good Party, BOSA, PAC, and Al Jama-ah were not present during the vote.
