DA Calls for Infrastructure Investment Over Tax Hikes
Image source: Debtline
The Democratic Alliance (DA) has firmly rejected any possible tax increases as Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana gets ready to present his much-anticipated Budget speech on Wednesday. This stance comes after media reports indicated that Godongwana is contemplating tax hikes to boost government revenue amid an expected financial shortfall.
As the Treasury seeks to address this revenue gap, the DA has raised significant concerns about the potential effects of tax increases on the daily lives of ordinary South Africans. Dr. Mark Burke, a notable Member of Parliament for the DA, reiterated the party’s strong opposition to raising personal income tax, corporate tax, and value-added tax (VAT).
Burke pointed out the difficult economic conditions many citizens are currently enduring. He contended that increasing taxes would only worsen the financial strain that households are already under due to a deteriorating cost of living crisis. He called the proposal to impose extra fiscal burdens on the population “entirely unacceptable” and emphasized the need for a more compassionate approach to governance.
Instead of resorting to tax increases, Burke encouraged the Government of National Unity to concentrate on implementing strategies that drive economic growth and long-term sustainability. He underscored the importance of investing in critical infrastructure projects, initiating growth-oriented reforms, and significantly cutting wasteful government spending. According to Burke, prioritizing these proactive measures is far more crucial than turning to tax hikes, which could further worsen the financial difficulties many South Africans are already experiencing.
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