Parliament has adopted the 2025 Fiscal Framework and Revenue Proposals, with 194 votes in favor and 182 against, after intense deliberations.
This decision has sparked heated political and legal discussions, leaving the Government of National Unity (GNU) facing an uncertain future.
Chairman of the Standing Committee on Finance, Mkhacani Maswanganyi, spoke of the time-consuming process of achieving this transition. “The report…is the result of a long process,” he testified, citing public hearings, consultations, and 51 stakeholder inputs.
Major opposition parties like the Democratic Alliance (DA), Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), and MK party opposed plans.
The socio-economic relevance of the budget has been criticized by others, whose position is that the budget does not tackle unemployment and inequality as much as it should.
The DA has clearly stated that it would pursue the issue to court, terming the budget as cataclysmic to the nation’s economy.
The party leadership also will decide over the coming few hours whether they will remain within the GNU and add another dose of instability into the coalition.
The Chairman Cedric Frolick testified the approval of the budget framework as follows: “The question that the 2025 Fiscal Framework and Revenue Proposals and the report of the Standing Committee is thus adopted.”
This confirms the very divided stance in Parliament, with parties arguing whether or not the framework aligns with the developmental plan for South Africa.
Government of national unity (GNU) is suspended in mid-air at a crossroads. Politically charged tensions and threats of legal action have left the nation’s economic direction and leadership suspended. The socio-economic destiny of South Africa for generations is in the hands of this budget vote.
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