Mail & Guardian

• Steenhuisen reiterates DA opposition to tax hikes
  His party would have yielded if any increases were guaranteed to be temporary and tied to an overhaul of state spending patterns
• Godongwana: We looked at every alternative to VAT hike
  The finance minister suggests that much of the opposition wrangling is part of a broader political battle
• Godongwana clings to VAT increase but halves initial proposal
  The minister conceded that the measure did not have support across the political spectrum
• No bailouts for struggling parastatals such as Eskom, Transnet,  treasury insists
  In its budget review, the treasury flagged Transnet’s high debt levels, saying it needs to make faster progress on its plan to improve operations and finances

Sunday Independent