What do we know? We know that in the US the Republicans no longer control the House of Representatives; we know the SA national and provincial elections will take place in May next year; we know that massive fraud and corruption will continue under the current government rule and we know that our taxes will not come down next year.
Therefore the few have to continue paying for the bloated cabinet, compulsory perks and misappropriation of funds.
We are painfully aware the government has done a fantastic job of destroying the economy in less than 15 years. The blatant looting from state coffers over this period, with the tacit approval of many voters, has resulted in ever-increasing taxes and high unemployment.
We mustn’t be distracted by the president constantly telling us that SA is now on the path to economic recovery, especially next year when the political parties go into election mode.
Under ANC governance, there will be no improvement in education, health care, service delivery and job opportunities. Our scarce funds will be used to continually bail out bankrupt SOEs (and the latter’s huge and growing debts are mind-blowing). This has proven to be the case for many years.
Closer to home, we know that the approaching elections will result in Ekurhuleni doling out sweeteners to their voters.
As in the past, this will probably be in the form of massive, supposedly uncollectable debt write-off.
Let’s not forget the mayor of Ekurhuleni is a die-hard Zuma “I will resign” acolyte – big on rhetoric and very thin on real action to reduce corruption and to improve the metro’s environment for all.
We know the mayor survived a no-confidence vote with the support of the EFF.
‘Business’ will continue as usual together with lots of meetings and food. Oh yes, festive season time, more parties and food with plenty to drink.
I suppose we have to fund all of this. Forget about the deteriorating state of the towns. We can have meetings in the new year.
Letters may be forwarded to riaane@caxton.co.za
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