The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) are set to hold a “VAT Victory March” today in Pretoria, celebrating what they claim as a win against the recent VAT increase while setting expectations for Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana’s upcoming budget speech.

EFF supporters gathered at the Union Buildings before proceeding to the National Treasury offices, just two days before Minister Godongwana tables his third budget attempt on Wednesday. The march follows a Western Cape High Court ruling that suspended the VAT increase—a move the EFF attributes to its legal challenge alongside the Democratic Alliance (DA).

EFF Chairperson Nontando Nolutshungu, speaking live during the march, emphasized that the protest was not just a party victory but a triumph for poor South Africans. “The increase of VAT has been scrapped by the courts, and today we reaffirm our stance against austerity measures that hurt the poor,” Nolutshungu stated.

With unemployment rising to 32.9% in the first quarter—affecting over 8 million South Africans, mostly youth—the EFF criticized the government’s approach, demanding a “pro-poor” budget. Nolutshungu accused the ANC and DA of neglecting public consultation, claiming the EFF’s proposals had been ignored.

“We expect a budget that creates jobs, not one that takes from the poor,” Nolutshungu said, arguing that the South African Revenue Service (SARS) could collect more revenue through improved measures rather than burdening low-income citizens.

The EFF also took aim at the DA, accusing it of using the VAT issue to push its own agenda, including opposition to the National Health Insurance (NHI) and land expropriation without compensation. “The DA is not interested in the poor; they protect the wealthy,” Nolutshungu asserted.

The march, expected to conclude by midday, has prompted road closures around the Treasury offices, including Stanza Bopape, Madiba, Paul Kruger, and Lilian Ngoyi streets.

As tensions rise ahead of Wednesday’s budget presentation, the EFF’s march signals growing pressure on the government to address economic inequality.