Tuesday, 29 April 2025

The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), following our decisive and correct intervention, notes the decision by the Chairperson of the Standing Committee on Finance, Dr. Joseph Maswanganyi, to cancel the scheduled meeting of the Committee for 30 April 2025. This decision validates the substantive concerns we raised regarding the illegality and unconstitutionality of processing the Rates and Monetary Amounts and Amendment of Revenue Laws Bill [B14—2025] without an adopted Fiscal Framework and Division of Revenue Bill, as required by Section 11(3)(a) of the Money Bills Amendment Procedure and Related Matters Act, 2009.

We reiterate that Parliament must be a custodian of the law and not an instrument of political expediency. The cancellation of the meeting is a necessary and welcome step toward restoring constitutional compliance and upholding the rule of law within Parliament.

The EFF strongly cautions that this is but a small step in a much larger battle to protect the integrity and credibility of Parliament. It is now crucial that all Members of Parliament, irrespective of party affiliation, pay closer attention to the processes governing the budget cycle and fiscal instruments. Parliament cannot operate on assumptions, nor can it allow executive overreach to dictate its constitutional duties.

We must vigilantly monitor all subsequent engagements between Parliament, the Parliamentary Budget Office, and National Treasury, to ensure that any new fiscal framework, division of revenue bill, and revenue proposals are tabled and processed in strict adherence to the Constitution and the Money Bills Amendment Procedure and Related Matters Act. No short-cuts, no irregularities, and no abuse of parliamentary procedure can be tolerated.

The EFF remains committed to defending the constitutional mandate of Parliament against all forms of erosion and capture. We urge all South Africans to equally pay attention to these developments because the battle to regain Parliament’s integrity is ultimately a battle for accountable and democratic governance.

ISSUED BY THE ECONOMIC FREEDOM FIGHTERS

Leigh-Ann Mathys (National Spokesperson) 082 304 7572

Thato Lebyane (Media Enquiries) 078 304 7572