The Pietermaritzburg Economic Justice and Dignity Group that advocates for prices of food to be affordable has welcomed the decision by Finance Minister, Enoch Godongwana to add more VAT zero-rated food items.

These will now include chicken feet, organ meats from sheep, poultry and other animals, canned vegetables and dairy liquid blends.

Programmes Coordinator of the organisation, Mervin Abrahams says if the budget is adopted, compliance by retailers should be enforced.

“What drives consumer choices is really the cost and so, it is critical, if this is to carry any benefit to vulnerable households, we have to ensure that the producers and retailers pass through this VAT saving to the consumer and only then, will it in fact be of benefit,” says Abrahams.

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