Paul Mashatile defends National Budget amid opposition backlash

Deputy President Paul Mashatile has fiercely defended the approval of the National Budget, saying that any budget that neglects the marginalised is not truly for the people and should therefore be rejected.

Mashatile made these remarks during his keynote address at the Gauteng Investment Conference held at the Marriott Hotel in Melrose Arch, Johannesburg, on Thursday.

Mashatile Stands Firm on Budget Approval

The Deputy President emphasized that the fiscal framework was successfully passed in Parliament and represents the government’s commitment to economic transformation and improving the lives of South Africans.

“This address takes place a day after Parliament voted in favour of the fiscal framework presented by the Finance Committee, led by Dr John Moswanganyi, in the National Assembly.”

He added that the budget is a crucial tool for ensuring economic growth and providing basic services to the most vulnerable.

Paul Mashatile

“Ours is a commitment to enriching and transforming not only our economy but the lives of our people as well.”

ANC Pushes Budget Through Despite Opposition

The ANC, which leads the Government of National Unity (GNU), successfully passed the budget in Parliament with support from smaller parties. However, the budget did not receive backing from the Democratic Alliance (DA), one of the key opposition parties within the GNU.

With 194 votes in favour and 182 against, the budget was approved, allowing Parliament to move forward with remaining budget legislation.

In response to criticism, Mashatile fired back at the opposition, stating:

“Any view on the budget that seeks to reject the commitment our government has to the vulnerable and marginalised is not a budget that is for the people and must therefore be rejected.”

He further argued that the budget process demonstrated that South Africa’s democracy is functional and that the country remains committed to growth and equality.

“As we continue our efforts toward building an equal, united, and prosperous society, we should be encouraged by this. Our country is determined to achieve growth and provide a quality of life for all South Africans.”

DA Challenges Budget in Court

Despite the ANC’s success in passing the budget, tensions within the Government of National Unity have increased, particularly with the DA.

DA leader John Steenhuisen has strongly opposed the budget, particularly the VAT increase, and has vowed to challenge the budget in the Western Cape High Court.

“This VAT hike budget will make life more expensive for everyone, and the DA will go to court to fight for the interests of all South Africans.”

Steenhuisen argued that the process used to pass the budget was unconstitutional and unlawful, and accused the ANC of pushing the tax hike onto struggling South Africans.

ActionSA and Smaller Parties Under Fire

The DA has also taken aim at ActionSA, which voted in favour of the budget, claiming that it had betrayed South Africans by helping the ANC pass the controversial financial plan.

“It is unthinkable that ActionSA has handed this VAT hike to the ANC on a platter, and it is both unlawful and unconstitutional how Parliament processed the budget,” Steenhuisen said.

He further criticised other political parties that backed the ANC’s budget, claiming they had contributed to making life harder for ordinary citizens.

The parties that supported the ANC’s budget include:

• Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP)

• Patriotic Alliance (PA)

• GOOD Party

• Rise Mzansi

• United Democratic Movement (UDM)

• Pan Africanist Congress (PAC)

• Al-Jamah

• Build One South Africa (BOSA)

“These parties have collectively chosen to make life more expensive for South Africans,” Steenhuisen added.

What’s Next for the GNU?

The battle over the National Budget has raised uncertainty over the future of the Government of National Unity. With the DA threatening legal action and tensions rising between coalition partners, questions remain about how stable the ANC-led GNU truly is.

The outcome of the court challenge will be a significant moment in South African politics, potentially affecting future governance and economic policies.