Zuko Komisa

Amidst heated debate surrounding South Africa’s fiscal policies, the Umkhonto weSizwe Party (MKP) has taken to the streets, demanding a reduction in the national value-added tax (VAT) rate.
Demonstrators gathered outside Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana’s office in Pretoria’s central business district, calling for the government to decrease VAT from the current 15% to 13%.
The MK Party argues that increasing taxes, particularly VAT, would exacerbate the already high cost of living for South African citizens.
The Umkhonto weSizwe Party is demanding a reduction in the rate of Value Added Tax.
— Kaya News (@KayaNews) March 10, 2025
The organisation says government should rather decrease VAT from 15 to 13 percent.
Opposing an increase in VAT – MK supporters are at this hour gathering outside Finance Minister Enoch… pic.twitter.com/j2I55I7fEW
This protest comes in the wake of last month’s dramatic postponement of the national budget speech, initially scheduled to be delivered by Minister Godongwana. The delay stemmed from a reported disagreement within the Cabinet regarding a proposed 2% VAT increase.
The Umkhonto weSizwe Party has threatened to make South Africa ungovernable if treasury increases value added tax.
— Kaya News (@KayaNews) March 10, 2025
The party says if VAT is increased it will embark on mass protests and go to the country's courts to fight it.
South Africa's third largest third political party… pic.twitter.com/VPu7mjhhNg
South Africa’s VAT, a consumption tax applied to most goods and services, is a critical source of government revenue.
The current standard rate of 15% contributes significantly to funding public services.
However, the MK Party, along with other opposition voices within the Government of National Unity (GNU), contends that any increase would disproportionately burden low-income households.
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