Thursday, 24 April 2025

The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) has formally written to the Speaker of the National Assembly, Ms. Thoko Didiza, regarding urgent constitutional and parliamentary implications arising from the Minister of Finance’s public withdrawal of key components of the 2025 National Budget.

This follows the Minister’s media statement issued on 23 April 2025, wherein he confirmed the reversal of the 0.5% Value-Added Tax (VAT) increase, and declared his intent to withdraw both the 2025 Appropriation Bill and the Division of Revenue Bill. These actions effectively dismantle the 2025 Budget framework adopted by the National Assembly.

In our correspondence, the EFF has requested the immediate circulation of all related correspondence from the Minister of Finance to the Office of the Speaker. This is necessary to ensure that all political parties in the National Assembly are fully apprised of developments and able to exercise their constitutional oversight responsibilities.

We have further demanded clarity on whether the Minister intends to withdraw the 2025 Fiscal Framework and Revenue Proposals, which were adopted by Parliament on 2 April 2025. Any such action would constitute a reversal of a formal resolution of the House and would require a clear procedural mechanism, given its binding legal implications.

The EFF has called for the urgent convening of a meeting of all political party leaders in Parliament to deliberate on the consequences of these unprecedented developments. Such a meeting must outline the constitutional path forward and ensure that Parliament is not undermined by unilateral executive decisions made after the start of the financial year.

The EFF reiterates its warning that the adoption of the 2025 Fiscal Framework was procedurally flawed and has now been vindicated by the Minister’s own backtracking. We remain committed to pursuing legal recourse but are equally prepared to participate in genuine and transparent parliamentary processes aimed at restoring fiscal and institutional credibility.

We call on the Speaker to exercise leadership and respond with urgency to this governance crisis. The people of South Africa deserve clarity, accountability, and decisive parliamentary action.

ISSUED BY THE ECONOMIC FREEDOM FIGHTERS

Leigh-Ann Mathys (National Spokesperson) 082 304 7572

Thato Lebyane (Media Enquiries) 078 304 7572