What are we paying for?

AfriForum launched a campaign on income tax after shocking statistics for 2015 indicate that Government once again failed in fulfilling its responsibilities during the 2015/2016 fiscal year. It becomes clearer that Government abuses taxpayers, because even though income tax increases, Government does not fulfil its primary responsibilities. 

“Income tax amounted to 36,45% of the total budget for the 2015/2016 fiscal year. AfriForum revisited what Government had promised during the 2015 budget speech to see if tax payers indeed get what they pay for. The answers are shocking,” said Monique Taute, National Campaign Coordinator for AfriForum.

The national pass rate for matriculants decreased with 5,1%, while R203 billion had been budgeted for basic education in the 2015/2016 budget. South Africa was at the bottom of world rankings for mathematics and science education – despite the fact that the country spends more on education than many other countries do.

“Government not only failed in its duty to improve public education, but also in its primary responsibility to protect its citizens and ensure their safety. Crime rose by 0,09% in 2015, with more than 2,2 million crimes committed in South Africa. This creates concern about the R171 billion which was to be spent on security, public order and safety – on what was this then spent? ” Taute asked.

Taute said that unemployment in the third quarter of 2015 would not have increased with 1,2% to reach 25,5% if Government had used taxpayers’ money effectively to combat unemployment. She also said that it was unacceptable that South Africa had been declared the country with the eight-highest unemployment rate after the number of unemployed people had increased with 188 000 between the second and third quarters of 2015.

“AfriForum plans on writing a letter to Mr Pravin Gordhan, Minister of Finance, before the 2016/2017 budget speech to request him to provide answers to Government’s empty promises for 2015,” Taute concluded.

AfriForum encourages the public to have their opinions heard by indicating which option mirrors their opinion the best. The choice can be made on AfriForum’s website at https://www.afriforum.co.za/waarvoorbetaalons/.