Cut off the snake’s head

On the eve of paying my provisional tax to the South African Revenue Service, I am left to ponder how I, or others, will possibly benefit from this compulsory expenditure. I do not share any confidence that a benefit will be enjoyed, by myself as the taxpayer or by the majority of the citizens of this country.

What is certain, however, is that a large percentage of the tax bill is being abused through rampant corruption across all spheres of government. The latest is the Passenger Rail Agency of SA salary issue, headlined via the supreme arrogance of this would-be beneficiary. The truth is that state-owned enterprises have become a liability to our economy and our society in general.

Multiple cases of thievery from the state coffers have become a daily occurrence, to the point where it is difficult to formulate a proper chronology of the crimes. This is certainly a core component of the strategy of the thieves. When the head of the snake injects the first venomous bite, the paralysis tends to spread quickly and fatally, as we have witnessed.

We are now faced with the naked reality of the ransacking of the national purse as a structurally endemic and entrenched component of our political system. Given all available evidence, it is certainly the biggest issue we need to face as a nation.

Is the solution to be found in a ruling of the Constitutional Court or is it to be a national tax revolt? Choices need to be made. Better to strangle the snake before the venom is allowed to spread throughout the entire body — assuming that it hasn’t done so already.

AR Viljoen

Elgin