ANC 'close' to agreeing on deal to pass budget, says Mbalula

JOHANNESBURG - The African National Congress (ANC) believes it is “close” to agreeing on a deal to pass the national budget and has drawn up a draft agreement with the parties it has been negotiating with.
 
This includes parties within the Government of National Unity (GNU) and outsiders. 
 
The ANC held a media briefing at Luthuli House in Johannesburg on Tuesday, to update on its latest attempt to get the budget passed.
  
During the one-hour media briefing, ANC secretary general Fikile Mbalula repeatedly stressed that negotiations on the national budget were ongoing. 
 
Mbalula said that over the past weeks, the ANC had met with all parties represented in Parliament.
 
“ActionSA we're also taking to them. Like all parties, they have made their proposals and that’s why I said we have got a draft which we think can unite all of us, and then we pass the budget. Taking into consideration all the issues that have been raised by all political parties in our engagements including the DA [Democratic Alliance].”
 
Mbalula said parties within and outside the GNU remained opposed to the proposed value-added tax (VAT) increase, however, he was confident it would be passed. 

ALSO READ: 

• Proposed VAT hike sticking point in budget negotiations - ANC
• As budget impasse continues, DA adamant it won't accept VAT increase
• IFP to vote in favour of national budget on Wednesday