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.

The Treasury secretary is the second top U.S. official not to attend the Group of 20 gatherings because of rising tension with South Africa over its land policies.

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. Coalition partners derailed his budget after opposing his plan to raise value-added-tax (VAT),

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