EFF hails court ruling suspending VAT hike as victory for the poor

The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) has welcomed the Western Cape High Court’s decision to suspend the half a percentage point VAT increase, preventing the tax hike from taking effect on Thursday.

The court issued this ruling on Sunday, also overturning the National Assembly’s resolution that adopted the report from the Joint Standing Committee on Finance regarding the Fiscal Framework and Revenue proposals earlier this month.

♦️In Pictures♦️

The EFF President and Commander In Chief @Julius_S_Malema engaging with members of the media at the #EFFPresser.

Victory belongs to those who defend the Constitution, democracy, and the people, not to those who sell them out for political survival. pic.twitter.com/098PzoPt4H

— Economic Freedom Fighters (@EFFSouthAfrica) April 28, 2025

Briefing the media in Johannesburg, EFF leader Julius Malema says the suspension of the VAT increase is a necessary intervention to prevent further economic suffocation.

“This decisive court order vindicates the principled stance the EFF has consistently taken to defend the constitution, the rule of law and the interests of the poor and working class against political expediency and executive overreach. This victory restores parliament’s constitutional powers as the legislative authority over the public finances. Re-affirms the supremacy of the law and crucially protects millions of South Africans.”

WATCH | EFF Leader Julius Malema welcomes suspension of VAT hike