Readers’ Views

Impotent Ramaphosa remains silent while bullies wield control

The ANC might occupy the Union Buildings, but who is calling the shots? The unions contribute little to economic growth or to soothing labour issues, our unionised teachers indirectly jeopardise SA’s future and the taxi industry is a law unto itself.

Now we read of a mafia group threatening civil-engineering developments and scaring off multibillion-rand projects, “Threeyear reign of ‘mafia’ terror” (April 7).

Despite reports to the authorities, no investigation is done.

It seems we have a government failing spectacularly to guarantee security to law-abiding citizens — yet allowing corruption to tighten its grip, and robbing the fiscus of muchneeded revenue for infrastructure to meet the needs of our burgeoning population.

The ruling party appears to have reverted to a village mentality in not understanding that without law and order society will disintegrate.

President Cyril Ramaphosa is impotent, and remains silent when the likes of the EFF and BLF foment racial discord.

ANC premiers in the provinces act as warlords, and Luthuli House dictates to its spineless MPs who fail to represent the people they were elected to serve, so only the opposition serves our democracy.

Ted O’Connor, Johannesburg

We keep paying for Eskom mess

The article “No selling Medupi, Kusile yet, says CFO” (April 7) refers. Sadly, but not surprisingly, Eskom feels zip for the consumer, who is already expected to foot the bill for massive cost overruns on these projects, and will now be held to ransom yet again.

This in light of no detailed investigation conducted into the overruns to ensure arrests or charges be brought against the individuals, companies and Eskom executives responsible, along with any corruption that most likely occurred. Gordon Pascoe, on businesslive

SMEs’ potential stifled by greed

Hilary Joffe’s column “SME Fund may be small, but its effect could be large” (March 31) speaks volumes. But what is missing is commitment, action and implementation timelines.

There is no disputing the potential of small and medium-sized enterprises in job creation and the growth of the economy if they are given a level playing field. This is being stifled by greed, selfishness and government policies such as BBBEE, which is just a facade to get government contracts.

SME funding should be directed to the banks, where SMEs can access these funds for entrepreneurial development in the hope that big business will be willing to supply products or buy services from them.

Banks will not lend money without security, and big business will not supply products without money upfront. All of them believe SMEs are a risk and will default on payment.

Unfortunately, SMEs will not be able to scale up to compete with any established big businesses unless deconcentration of the economy and transformation become a reality.

As long as the multinationals, JSElisted companies and big business do not share, it will be difficult for SMEs to grow big and list on the JSE. Anonymous, by e-mail