For Creamer Media in Johannesburg, I’m Lumkile Nkomfe.    

Making headlines: DA’s rejection of Budget a ‘desperate attempt’ to undermine transformation says Mbalula; Mashatile assures business of govt commitment to land reform, US relations, GNU; And, Southern African bloc to withdraw troops from Congo in phases

DA’s rejection of Budget a ‘desperate attempt’ to undermine transformation says Mbalula

Following the presentation of the much-awaited and controversial Budget speech yesterday the African National Congress has accused the Democratic Alliance of making a “desperate attempt to undermine transformation” by rejecting the 2025 Budget.

ANC secretary-general Fikile Mbalula was briefing the media today, and further accused the DA of using the Budget process as leverage to renegotiate its role within the Government of National Unity.

Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana tabled his delayed Budget that included lower, yet still controversial, increases to the value added tax rate, as he sought to hold the fiscal-consolidation line amid rising spending pressures.

DA leader John Steenhuisen said his party would not support this Budget in its current form, vowing to continue fighting for economic growth and jobs.

Mbalula said the DA’s rejection was not based on concerns for fiscal responsibility, but rather to “protect white monopoly capital” and roll back democratic gains.

He said it is not that the DA has the interests of people at heart but because it is determined to advance an agenda that prioritises privilege over progress.

Mashatile assures business of govt commitment to land reform, US relations, GNU

Menwhile, Deputy President Paul Mashatile addressed the BizNews Conference, in the Western Cape, where he gave government assurance on investment-linked policies to business leaders in attendance.

Following the much-anticipated Budget speech, Mashatile said its presentation by Godongwana, in the face of a postponement and disagreements, had been a lesson in improving processes.

He said while the Government of National Unity would not agree on everything, it was “more powerful than many people realise”.

He pointed to government’s commitment to the GNU with the establishment of the GNU Clearing House Mechanism, which he chaired, to resolve policy disagreements.

Mashatile noted that the National Development Plan’s Vision 2030 and the newly adopted Medium-Term Development Plan formed part of government’s efforts in development.

However, he said government should look beyond 2030 to 2055, which marks the Freedom Charter’s centenary.

And, Southern African bloc to withdraw troops from Congo in phases

The Southern African Development Community said today that a summit of regional heads of state had terminated the mandate of its troop deployment in the Democratic Republic of Congo and decided on a "phased withdrawal".

A document seen in February said the status of the bloc's mission to Congo needed to be discussed with parties to the conflict.

The 16-member SADC deployed its mission in Congo in December 2023 to help the Congolese army fight rebel groups. It extended its mandate late last year but the mission has suffered losses in 2025.

That’s a roundup of news making headlines today

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