South Africa's two biggest political parties, the African National Congress and the pro-business Democratic Alliance were yet to reach agreement to pass the budget on Tuesday, hours before a key parliamentary committee was set to debate it.

South African opposition party the Economic Freedom Fighters has written to the speaker of parliament seeking to block lawmakers from meeting on Wednesday to vote on the next stage of the budget process.

A South African parliamentary panel has approved a fiscal framework for the national budget, but with a condition that the Finance Minister review a proposal to increase taxes. Lawmakers will vote on the budget on Wednesday,