Readers’ Views

More money being tossed into NHI black hole

The article “Minister gives NHI a budget pick-me-up” (July 14) refers. Just more of the same.

The implementation unit has already been there for years, and despite the billions of rands allocated to National Health Insurance pilots, the department has achieved nothing ... or, at least, has not dared boast about their lack of achievement.

In other words, had they achieved anything, it would have been trumpeted from the rooftops, but, instead, there has been complete silence as to what was achieved with the money allocated by the National Treasury to NHI pilots.

I see both the Treasury and health department at fault, and it worries me that more money will be thrown into the deepest NHI black hole.

Andrew Merrifield, on businessLIVE

Cost of BBBEE crippling SA

Would Peter Moyo have been where he was, and with his business supported as generously by Old Mutual, were it not for broad-based black economic empowerment (BBBEE) requirements, “Old Mutual may be learning some hard lessons — in public” (July 14)?

The true cost of BBBEE is crippling this country.

There are just too many deals done without any real commercial justification, at considerable cost, in order to meet some BBBEE requirement.

Derek Salzmann, on businessLIVE

Lawyers cash in on failure

The article “Tongaat’s Umhlanga deal on rocks” (July 14) refers. As with Steinhoff, the woes of shareholders are not over — many “advisers” and lawyers are making a lot of money from the failure.

I don’t begrudge them their fees. I simply object to the perpetrators not paying for mopping up the rubbish! Philip Jansen, on businessLIVE

Municipal capture

The report of the auditor-general will be carefully analysed by all the global rating agencies when SA’s financial and economic health comes up for review. It is clearly evident that most municipalities are guilty of gross financial ill-discipline.

Parliament must squarely confront this sordid state of affairs.

Democracy has many definitions, implications and consequences, but accountability is one of its most important. Our democracy will not survive if we allow this rot to continue unchallenged.

Financial irregularities may be criminal acts and subject to prosecution under the law. The starting point for remedial action, and for successful prevention and detection, is to create a work culture which opposes impropriety, values honesty and puts the protection of the public interest first.

It is achieved by leaders operating personally to the core values of integrity, trust and openness and requiring all municipal staff to do the same.

State capture has become a hot topic in SA. The auditor-general’s damning report is tantamount to municipal capture by vested interests. Farouk Araie, Johannesburg