DA readies for tax hike battle

South Africa’s Democratic Alliance, the second-biggest party in the country’s coalition government, said it would oppose any tax increases after local media reported that the finance ministry was considering extra levies. 

“The DA strongly opposes any tax increases and does not support increases to personal income tax, corporate income tax, and value-added tax,” the party said in an emailed statement on Sunday.

Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana may be considering raising value-added, personal-income and corporate taxes to offset a revenue shortfall and support the government’s efforts to stabilize its debt, the Johannesburg-based Sunday Times newspaper reported.

It said the Treasury declined to comment as it’s in closed period before Godongwana presents his annual budget on Wednesday.

“We are deeply concerned by reports in the Sunday Times that tax increases may be tabled,” the DA said.