CAPE TOWN - Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana says many are playing political games around the VAT issues.
"If they listened on the say, I said VAT is paid by the three highest income categories," he explained.
He was speaking after Parliament voted for the 2025 budget after the ANC secured enough votes, despite opposition from the DA.
The fiscal plan includes a half a percentage point VAT increase, which has drawn criticism.
Godongwana says there are plans in place to protect the poor, that includes zero rates food.
"They are playing football about poor people," he says.
ANC Parliamentary Chief Whip, Mdumiseni Ntuli said the DA were being unreasonable in their demands that were outside of the scope of the budget.