Despite promising discussions, the long-standing deadlock between the ANC and DA over the national budget remains unresolved.
Image: Se-Anne Rall / IOL
AS BUDGET talks remain deadlocked, President Cyril Ramaphosa told the ANC caucus that if the DA fails to support the Budget, it risks isolating itself from the GNU.
Members of Parliament are expected to vote on the 2025 Budget on Wednesday at 2pm and talks have not been finalised.
Ramaphosa apparently stated that the DA's departure from the GNU would be a result of its own decisions.
He emphasised that, as the ANC's largest partner in the GNU, the DA would effectively be removing itself from the coalition if it chose to vote against the fiscal framework and revenue proposals.
While the ANC would not actively expel the DA from the government, Ramaphosa is said to have indicated that the party's actions would speak for themselves.
This was particularly on the demands that the DA has made to the ANC.
These were the same words that the ANC secretary-general Fikile Mbalula said in his media briefing on Tuesday at Luthuli House.
Mbalula said the GNU parties will cut themselves out and “there was no need for the ANC to have an axe” on anyone.
Talks have now been paused for now.