The DA leader Mmusi Maimane has launched his party’s national petition against the increase in VAT announced in the budget speech, saying ordinary South Africans should not be forced to pay for the looting of the ANC government.
Ahead of the Main Budget 2018, Mmusi Maimane and DA Shadow Deputy Minister of Finance, Alf Lees presented how Gigaba can avoid tax increases and make R112 billion available.
“As a result of a near decade of mismanagement of the country and the economy under Jacob Zuma, our nation finds itself in a very precarious financial situation”
“We need to cut spending and expenditure in the right areas. The cuts ought to focus on superfluous government departments, zombie SOEs, and vanity projects such as the New Development Bank. If the budget does this, we will support it. However, if the budget cuts basic services such as health, education, social grants and infrastructure that facilities growth – we will reject it”.
“Therefore, any tax increase will be rejected by the DA, including the likely removal of zero rating on fuel. We specifically reject any talk of a VAT increase, which will hit the poorest hardest”.
“Reducing the size of the cabinet by at least five ministries, which could save an estimated 122 million in 2018/19”.
“We believe the Minister should consider implementing a “wage freeze”, for the period of one year, across the public service, including salary freezes for, public service office bearers, which would save an estimated R547 million in 2018/19, performance bonuses in general government, which would save an estimated R2.2 billion in 2018/19, salaries of all employees in local government, which could save an estimated R4.4 billion in 2018/19 and
salaries of all employees in general government, which could save an estimated R54.9 billion in 2018/19.
Read the original article and more proposals on DA Budget
South Africa Today – South Africa News
