Parliament is set to host the third tabling of the 2025 national budget on Wednesday. The process follows two previous attempts that were halted due to political and legal challenges.

The initial budget presentation was cancelled in February following disagreements among Government of National Unity partners over a proposed increase in Value Added Tax (VAT).

In March, Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana tabled a revised budget, which included two separate VAT increases of 0.5 percentage points each, to be implemented over two financial years. However, the Western Cape High Court later interdicted the implementation of the increases after the Democratic Alliance (DA) and the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) challenged the process in court. As a result, a new budget was required.

In the upcoming session, Godongwana will present the 2025 Fiscal Framework and Revenue Proposals. He will also introduce the Appropriation Bill and the Division of Revenue Bill.

Parliament spokesperson Moloto Mothapo says the legislative body remains on track to meet its legal obligations.

“Parliament reaffirms its commitment to concluding the processing and adoption of the national budget within the stipulated legal time frame, which is four months after the start of the new financial year, as required by the Public Finance Management Act,” said Mothapo.

Hopes that Godongwana’s 3.0 budget is well received