Several political parties in South Africa, including the South African Communist Party (SACP) and ActionSA, are voicing strong opposition to potential Value-Added Tax (VAT) increases in the upcoming national budget. They argue that such increases would disproportionately burden the working class and the poor, while failing to address the country's systemic issues of inequality and poverty.
prepares to table the national Budget on Wednesday, February 19, several political parties have voiced their opposition to potential increases in Value-Added Tax .
"Increasing VAT is a regressive tax that falls hardest on those already enduring economic deprivation," said Alex Mohubetswane Mashilo, the SACP's national spokesperson. "An effective recovery programme, particularly one targeting greater inclusivity and cutting unemployment and poverty, would generate more resources for the fiscus," Mashilo said, emphasising the importance of equitable distribution and economic justice.
Beesley highlighted the government's lavish spending, including millions spent on travel and meetings while critical services and social programmes are neglected. "Austerity often unleashes a vicious cycle," Mashilo stated, warning that such measures ultimately harm the very people they are meant to support.
Meanwhile, GOOD Party has put forward a plan for zero-based budgeting, which would require the government to reevaluate every expense, starting from scratch, rather than using the previous year’s budget as a base.
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