The African National Congress (ANC) is engaging with parties in the Government of National Unity (GNU) amid Wednesday’s budget vote in parliament.
This as some GNU partners have openly declared that they’re in opposition to the 0.5 percentage point increase, which was announced by Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana.
Briefing the media during the ANC National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting in Boksburg, Ekurhuleni, NEC member Parks Tau said the party hasn’t stopped engaging with other parties, whether formal or informal.
‘The ANC is engaging all political parties, because in essence when you go and pass a budget, you need to ensure that you get the maximum number of members of parliament, to agree with you on the budget.
We’ve engaged all parties and will continue to engage them until Wednesday.
I imagined that those discussions would continue until the last minute on Wednesday,” said Tau.
In addition, Tau said prior to the budget tabling by Godongwana, all parties in the GNU were engaged on the budget proposals, both on the revenue and expenditure side.
He said they expressed their views regarding the proposals, and agreement was finalised on how to agree in this matter going forward, in accordance with a statement of intent signed by GNU members.
Tau also accused other parties of being disingenuous, following reports that the Democratic Alliance is willing to vote in favour of the budget, albeit under some conditions.
“It is very disingenuous when political parties say well actually, we can agree to the 0.5% and then make political demands, not budget demands.
It’s a big risk, and I think it’s important that we are conscious of that.
Sometimes, people say we took a political decision when in fact, they are trying to extract political concessions.
I think it’s an unfortunate thing.
And I do think that it’s important for all of us to be held accountable for our conduct in government, parliament and indeed in front of the people of South Africa,” explained Tau.
He urged aggrieved GNU members “not to negotiate through the newspaper or TV and avoid posturing in engagements and negotiations.
Meanwhile, NEC member Dr Kgosientsho Ramokgopa, appealed to parties engaged in the budget talks, to protect the integrity of the process.
“From our side as the ANC, we do accept the fact that we don’t have the necessary votes to get the budget over the line on our own.
Several parties, including those that are outside the GNU, have raised some issues, especially the VAT increase.
But everyone is agreeable on the expenditure side, the need to take care of the poor, broaden the social race.
The discussions shouldn’t threaten the stability and existence of the GNU.
We’re (ANC) invested in the GNU because it is our own creation.
There are no parameters of whom we can engage regarding the matter,” said Ramokgopa.
