The judiciary has stepped into a high-stakes tug-of-war over who holds the nation’s purse strings. At issue is whether parliament — and by extension, politicians — should have the power to routinely overrule the finance minister’s tax decisions. The hearing and judgment on Treasury’s autonomy is more than a legal tussle. It could reset the balance of power in Pretoria. 

On Sunday, the Western Cape High Court agreed to suspend the VAT hike pending a full review, with the DA crowing that it is “a victory for South Africans” in asserting legislative authority...

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