Constructive engagements on passing the budget ongoing: DA

Democratic Alliance (DA) spokesperson Karabo Khakhau says constructive conversations between the DA and the ANC are underway, but there is no deal to pass the controversial budget with the Value-Added Tax hike as yet.

This follows a disagreement last Friday between the two parties on the proposed VAT increase that was announced by Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana in his budget recently.

Khakhau says at the heart of DA’s demands, is making sure that they are able to get the economic policy and its reforms that they wanted.

“I can confirm that conversations are constructive right now. There’s no deal yet. But we are getting closer to each other. You’d know that in the heart of the DA’s demands was making sure we are able to get the economic policy and its reform that we wanted. That we are of the opinion that it will be in the best interest of South Africans.”

“[Reforms] that will make sure that we grow our economy, create jobs and bridge the gap between the rich and the poor in this country. The only way we can do so, is by having a very rigorous approach towards growing our GDP and spending in our economy and loosening up opportunities for job creation,” adds Khakhau.