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Some South Africans, led by members of the opposition Democratic Alliance, took to the streets on Tuesday to protest against government’s plan to increase Value Added Tax (VAT).
They were led by the DA leader, Mmusi Maimane as well as DA Gauteng provincial leader John Moodey and Tshwane Mayor Solly Msimanga.
Former Finance Minister Malusi Gigaba had announced in his Budget speech that VAT will increase from 14 to 15 percent.
But Maimane said the increase would impact negatively on the poor and the unemployed.
“The increase of VAT, along with a huge increase in fuel levies, will cause an increase in food and transport costs for all South Africans,” he said in a statement.
“The ANC cannot make the poor pay for their looting of public money, and we will fight this increase in VAT on behalf of the poor and the unemployed”