ActionSA, the kingmaker party that helped the ANC to pass the 2025-2026 budget without the support of its coalition partner the DA, says it would withhold its support if the VAT increase proposal is implemented from 1 May 2025. 

The party’s parliamentary leader,  Athol Trollip, says they still have the cards to block the move.

He was briefing the media today, April 3,  following yesterday’s heated budget sitting where it appears that the ANC dribbled ActionSA by promising not to implement the VAT increase. 

Later, official government channels announced that the VAT increase, which was opposed by the DA, EFF, MK Party, ATM, FF+ and African Christian Democratic Party (ACDP), would be implemented.

Trollip told the media that should that happen, the ANC should forget about his party’s support from that moment.

“Now we have to find a solution, we oppose any VAT increase, we oppose tax creep and if we don’t find the solution in 27 days time, do not look to us for support to pass this budget. The passage of the budget is still a long, long way away,” Trollip said referring to the ANC.

Asked whether they would join the government of national unity (GNU)  now that they are supporting the ANC, Trollip said they would reconsider their previous decision not to join once the DA leaves. 

“If the DA leaves the GNU or if they are kicked out of the GNU, we will reconsider our position because the DA is good in opposition. Then the opposition space is suddenly disproportionately full and the government space might be limited, so, we will evaluate,we will do,” he said.

Meanwhile, the DA has announced that it would go to court should tge VAT increase be implemented. 

This is as the party has already filed papers in the Western Cape High Court seeking to have the budget passed yesterday declared unlawful, saying parliament broke its own rules while passing it