LIVE: National Assembly debates final budget legislation, DA to support it but MK Party to oppose it
The National Assembly is debating the Appropriation Bill, the final piece of legislation needed to pass the 2025 national budget.
However, the DA said it would vote in favor of the bill following the dismissal of Higher Education Minister Dr Nobuhle Nkabane, but MK Party said it will not support the bill.
The sitting is taking place at the Cape Town International Convention Centre.
The meeting will include the consideration of the Standing Committee on Appropriations' report on the Appropriation Bill, a debate on the Appropriation Bill, and votes on the schedule of the Appropriation Bill, which outlines the budgets for each department and entity.
It will also include the second reading of the Appropriation Bill, which is the final vote on the bill
After the conclusion of Budget vote debates in departmental allocations, the National Assembly will consider and vote on the Appropriation Bill.
IOL News reported that the DA has made a u-turn, saying that it will support the 2025 and 2026 Appropriation Bill after President Cyril Ramaphosa's decision to fire Higher Education Minister Dr Nobuhle Nkabane over the SETA board appointment saga.
The DA said Ramaphosa was forced to yield to sustained pressure from the party to ensure the passage of the bill, which allocates funding to national departments.
'The Democratic Alliance will support the 2025/26 Appropriation Bill following the president's decision to dismiss Minister Nkabane after sustained DA pressure. This decision is the crucial first step in holding compromised ministers accountable,' the party said in a statement.
'While long overdue, the removal of Minister Nkabane confirms that pressure from the DA within the Government of National Unity is yielding results.
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