Taking from the rich to give to the poor will drive wealthy abroad

High earners pay, in addition to tax, the indirect taxes of private education, security, health care, retirement funding, and so on, “UCT head calls for wealth tax” (November 24). All that expenditure supports jobs and taxes through the multiplier affect.

In addition, a little research would reveal the massive support, from many of the category of people referred to, of NGOs.

Finally, taking from the rich to give to the poor simply disincentivises those who can and do create jobs and drives [them] offshore.

Academia gives a very unrealistic view of the world.

Miles Japhet, on businessLIVE

The rich will leave the country, and that will be the end of the wealth tax before it even starts.

Same with National Health Insurance, which will chase away medical professionals.

SA is known for liking destructive economic ideas and shifting the blame for failed experiments to developed countries and the poor. Rating agencies have run out of patience. Michael Mara, on businessLIVE

At present, most taxes are used unproductively. Let’s call for a change in government officials who will act for the good of the poor rather than their own interests. We need a new government that is for the people. Martin Engelbrecht, on businessLIVE

I’m not clear how a wealth tax catches anyone operating under the radar. It’s a bit like expecting Jacob Zuma’s tax return to disclose bribes.

As long as tax revenue is dissipated by mismanagement and corruption, raising taxes will have no impact on inequality. Philanthropy can always be encouraged by expanding [the South African Revenue Service’s] section 18a limits.

Al Cadre, on businessLIVE