South Africa's Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana has been forced to postpone the unveiling of the national budget following sharp disagreements within the coalition government.

The reason for the abrupt cancellation was the failure of the minister to get cabinet approval for the proposal to raise value added tax (VAT) from 15% to 17%. VAT is the second biggest contributor to tax collection after personal income tax, followed by corporate taxes.

South Africa's rand weakened on Wednesday, after the national budget was postponed until further notice due to disagreements within the coalition government. At 1402 GMT, the rand traded at 18.57 against the dollar,

Africa's largest economy has faced a burgeoning debt and stagnating economy that threaten to derail the country's coalition government.

The unprecedented delay in the presentation of South Africa’s budget shouldn’t be seen as a crisis and wouldn’t derail the country’s 10-party ruling alliance, President Cyril Ramaphosa said.

South Africa’s finance minister is under pressure to chart an economic course that navigates the hazards unleashed by Donald Trump’s trade war.

The African National Congress and Democratic Alliance disagree over proposed VAT increases, casting doubt on the ruling coalition's ability to govern.

The postponement of South Africa’s national budget vote was as much about keeping the national coalition together as it was about the unity of the African National Congress, with the finance minister now going back to the drawing board.

Officials say pro-business Democratic Alliance and senior figures in African National Congress objected to VAT rise