Malema urges Godongwana to table 'people's budget'
Malema is leading a march to the National Treasury offices in Pretoria on Monday to celebrate the reversal of the value-added tax (VAT) increase.
EFF supporters on Monday, 19 May 2025, during a ‘victory march’ to National Treasury in Pretoria following Minister of Finance Enoch Godongwana’s decision to withdraw the proposed VAT hike. Picture: Alpha Ramushwana/EWN.
JOHANNESBURG - Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader Julius Malema has urged Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana to avoid tabling proposals which will financially burden the majority of South Africans.
Malema is leading a march to the National Treasury offices in Pretoria on Monday to celebrate the reversal of the value-added tax (VAT) increase.
Godongwana withdrew his proposal for a VAT hike last month, following a two-month-long budget impasse.
READ: Budget 3.0: Godongwana should prioritise economic growth, says economist
The EFF's march comes as Godongwana will present a third budget in parliament on Wednesday.
The EFF hopes Godongwana will refrain from announcing any further tax hikes.
Malema urged Godongwana to think carefully before drafting his budget.
"They must give us the people's budget. Not the budget which is demanded by the companies, the banks and white monopoly capital. So we are here to make the message very clear."
Meanwhile, several roads are closed to traffic as the EFF marches in the CBD.
[IN PICTURES] The EFF is marching from the Union Buildings to National Treasury’s headquarters in Pretoria.
— EWN Reporter (@ewnreporter) May 19, 2025
The “victory march” intends to celebrate the reversal of the VAT increase.
The party believes it’s pressure influenced the decision to scrap the VAT hike. @JusstAlpha pic.twitter.com/GjgGIPqVcm