The South African National Civic Organisation (SANCO) has called for the immediate resignation of Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana, accusing him of recklessly pushing through a VAT hike without consultation and ignoring the socio-economic crisis faced by millions of South Africans.
In a media statement issued on 2 May 2025, SANCO expressed deep concern over the minister’s decision to increase VAT by 0.5%, despite vocal opposition from Alliance partners and civil society. The organisation warned that the move would disproportionately affect the poor and unemployed, especially in a country where the unemployment rate sits at 31.9%, with youth making up 75% of that figure.
“Minister Godongwana acted unilaterally, undermining the relevance of the Alliance and ignoring calls to abandon the VAT hike,” said SANCO General Secretary Mike Soko. “He lives in a hot air balloon, far removed from the realities faced by ordinary citizens.”
The civic body also condemned the lack of progress on mineral beneficiation programmes, which SANCO says could have created millions of jobs and bolstered revenue without hurting the poor.
Following a National Executive Committee meeting on 25 April, SANCO unanimously resolved to intensify calls for the minister’s resignation and will lobby President Cyril Ramaphosa and Alliance partners to remove Godongwana from his post.
“This was a vote of no confidence,” the statement read. “Keeping him in office risks further economic instability and will deepen public mistrust in leadership.”
SANCO reaffirmed its commitment to acting as a watchdog for people’s interests and warned that it would not remain silent while the livelihoods of South Africans are jeopardised.
