Latest news with #ThabisoGoba
Eyewitness News
21-05-2025
- Politics
- Eyewitness News
ActionSA says not much engagement with ANC since helping it pass budget 3.0
Thabiso Goba 21 May 2025 | 10:15 ActionSA Budget Speech Government of national unity (GNU) ActionSA parliamentary leader, Athol Trollip, during debate on the State of the Nation Address in Parliament on 11 February 2025. Picture: GCIS JOHANNESBURG - ActionSA says it has not had much engagement with the African National Congress (ANC) since assisting it to pass the previous budget. ActionSA, which is not part of the Government of National Unity (GNU), voted with the ANC to pass the April budget, which was later set aside by the Western Cape High Court. On Wednesday afternoon, Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana will make a third attempt to table a budget in Parliament. READ: Budget 3.0 Godongwana's moment of truth As the rain poured in Cape Town ahead of the budget speech, ActionSA seems to have been left out in the cold. The party's parliamentary leader, Athol Trollip, said they only worked with the ANC to avert a crisis, not to enter the GNU. "We really don't care what it looks like, we have a government of national unity (GNU), they are going to use their majority to pass the budget and that's fine because they need to implement the budget, this is their baby and while they do that, they need to consider the massive unemployment programme in the country." Trollip said they were expecting more money to be allocated to the South African Revenue Service (SARS) so it can go after tax evaders. He said government should also consider cutting the bloated GNU cabinet and its perks. ALSO READ: ActionSA warns of doom in manufacturing industry, calls for speedy economic reforms 'We really don't care what it looks like,' Athol Trollip, ActionSA parliamentary leader on whether the party has been frozen out by the ANC now that there is consensus in the GNU over the budget. TCG — EWN Reporter (@ewnreporter) May 21, 2025
Eyewitness News
24-04-2025
- Business
- Eyewitness News
ANC calls joint media briefing with several parties after VAT hike reversal
Thabiso Goba 24 April 2025 | 6:25 African National Congress emblem. Picture: AFP JOHANNESBURG - The African National Congress (ANC) has called a joint media briefing with several political parties following the decision to withdraw the controversial 0.5 percentage point increase in value-added tax (VAT). All parties within the Government of National Unity (GNU), except the Democratic Alliance (DA) and Freedom Front Plus, are expected to attend the multi-party briefing. Opposition parties, ActionSA and Build One South Africa (BOSA), which supported the VAT hike when it was passed, have also been invited. ALSO READ: DA, ANC to meet Thursday for talks relating to GNU The past two months have been marked by political infighting over Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana's proposal to raise VAT. Over the last two weeks, the ANC has been in discussions with both coalition partners and opposition parties to explore alternatives to the VAT increase. During these meetings, various parties presented to the National Treasury, some of the suggestions could pose greater risks to economic growth. The ANC said it had reached common ground with the involved parties and would outline the next steps during Thursday morning's joint media briefing. In an overnight statement, the Treasury confirmed that keeping VAT at 15% would result in a R75 billion revenue shortfall. It's expected that political leaders will use the multi-party briefing to present alternative measures to address the revenue deficit.
Eyewitness News
23-04-2025
- Politics
- Eyewitness News
EFF in NC believes white-only settlements like Orania must be abolished
Thabiso Goba 23 April 2025 | 5:48 Orania Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) Orania's distinct flag. Picture: Kayleen Morgan/Eyewitness News JOHANNESBURG - The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) in Northern Cape believes white-only settlements like Orania must be abolished, saying they fuel racial divisions in the country. On Tuesday, the red berets marched to the offices of the Northern Cape Premier Zamani Saul, demanding that he review Orania's legal basis of existence. ALSO READ: 'I am going to be a resident of Orania' - NC EFF leader TlhaoleSituated in the Karoo region, the controversial town is privately owned and only white people of Afrikaans descent are allowed to live Northern Cape leader Shadrack Tlhaole said if government continued to allow Orania to exist, more similar settlements will pop up in other parts of the country. "Nelson Mandela, Mama Winnie Mandela, OR Tambo, and all of our forefathers who fought for the liberation of our country, they were doing so inclusive of black and white people. So, Orania cannot be a standalone town where black people are not allowed to occupy or stay in that area."
