Unions, NGOs oppose VAT hike ahead of Budget Speech

Cosatu protests against VAT increase in Cape Town ahead of the tabling of the Budget Speech on March 12, 2025.

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Various organisations, including the Congress of South African Trade Unions (Cosatu), South African Federation of Trade Unions (Saftu), the South African Communist Party (SACP), Treatment Action Campaign (TAC) and Equal Education (EE) are protesting outside the gates of Parliament in Cape Town ahead of the Budget Speech this afternoon.

The organisations are opposed to a VAT increase of 2%, among others.

Cosatu General Secretary, Solly Phetoe says government needs to tax rich corporate establishments to supplement fiscal deficit.

Phetoe says, “We want the budget that will talk to service delivery and to implement it for the people of South Africa. We want the budget that is going to talk to how they going to create jobs? How are they going to make sure that the proper service delivery by municipalities are delivered to the people? We want the budget that is going to talk about the implementation of the National Health Insurance (NHI)?”