Taxing times for SA citizens

TAXPAYERS have a lot to think about when considering the news this week. No one likes paying taxes, especially when their hard-earned money is being wasted instead of being used to protect citizens, educate future generations, house the poor, create jobs and heal the sick.

While the credibility of the crime statistics released by Police Minister Fikile Mbalula is dubious, he revealed that while serious crime had decreased overall, murder had risen by 1.8% and aggravated robbery by 6.4%. He lambasted lazy police and said specialised units had been relaunched to focus on drugs, rape, violent threats and violent criminals. Why were they disbanded?

Crime analysts blamed the government’s political appointment of commissioners as a major contributor to feeble policing. Lack of leadership, poor training and inadequate equipment add to the mess.

Then it was Finance Minister Malusi Gigaba’s turn to tell the truth. The country is broke and will be borrowing heavily. Treasury has a R50.8 billion revenue shortfall, because the economy is barely growing at 0.7%, there is less tax to collect. Tax increases are coming, possibly including VAT.

The one good thing, is there is no money for President Jacob Zuma’s pet nuclear build and patience has run out with state-owned enterprises like SAA and the Post Office.

Money for free tertiary education is also limited with some students wrecking campuses – a self-defeating strategy.

Our broken health system has been revealed by the heart-breaking testimony before the inquiry into the Life Esidimeni tragedy. The callous way psychiatric patients were carted off to spurious care facilities despite the warnings of their families and doctors is criminal.

The police have barely started investigating how 141 patients died. Forensic evidence is being destroyed by the day while victims are in their graves.

Meanwhile, the supposed architect of the scheme claims it does not suit her to testify now because she is writing exams in London.

Gigaba should be worried about the slippage in compliance from taxpayers. As he notes, the tax system has to be fair and honest to be accepted. People have had enough.