South Africa’s Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) have formally urged National Assembly Speaker Thoko Didiza to halt a parliamentary session scheduled for Wednesday, aiming to stop lawmakers from advancing the national budget approval process. The opposition party alleges procedural irregularities during Tuesday’s finance committee deliberations, where the fiscal framework gained provisional approval despite concerns over revenue policies.
In a letter to Didiza, the EFF argued the committee’s process was “legally precarious” and demanded the withdrawal of its endorsed report. The party threatened to pursue court intervention, including an emergency injunction, if the Wednesday vote proceeds. “Failure to address these violations will compel us to act decisively to uphold parliamentary law,” the statement read.
The ruling African National Congress (ANC), which leads a multiparty coalition, secured critical support from non-aligned party ActionSA during the contentious committee session. This maneuver drew sharp rebuke from the ANC’s primary coalition partner, the Democratic Alliance (DA), which accused the party of violating coalition agreements by collaborating with external groups.
Meanwhile, the Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU), a traditional ANC ally, condemned proposed budget measures that could raise value-added tax (VAT) without adjusting income tax brackets for inflation. The labor federation warned that ignoring these concerns would “erode public trust” and risk political fallout ahead of 2026 local elections. “Playing fast and loose with voters’ livelihoods invites disaster,” COSATU stated.
The dispute underscores mounting tensions within South Africa’s governing coalition as it navigates fiscal reforms amid economic pressures. Parliament’s response to the EFF’s objections remains pending.