Zille slams ‘hysteria’ following her call for a tax revolt

On Saturday, Helen Zille took to Twitter to call for a tax revolt if those who had been implicated in wrongdoing at the Zondo commission of inquiry into state capture were not prosecuted and jailed in a “reasonable amount of time”.

I'm waiting to see how many ppl get prosecuted and land in jail in a reasonable amount of time after the Zondo commission. If they do not, just watch me. I will be organising the #TaxRevolt. I have tried the electoral route for years. Voters seem to like voting for corruption. https://t.co/WNvDpPKND1

— Helen Zille (@helenzille) January 26, 2019

The call provoked a backlash, which the Cape Town premier has since taken to Twitter again to dismiss as “hysteria”. According to Zille, South African history has a variety of examples of tax revolts “from the Bambata rebellion [sic] to the e-tolls boycott”.

This hysteria about my proposal for a tax revolt is fascinating. SA history has a variety of tax revolts from the Bambata rebellion to the E-Tolls Boycott — a classic example of refusing to pay a state-imposed tax. As far as I recall, the DA supported non-payment of E-tolls.

— Helen Zille (@helenzille) January 27, 2019

The Bambatha rebellion saw Zulu chief Bambatha kaMancinza lead his clan, amaZondi, in a rebellion against British rule and taxation in 1906.

The more recent e-tolls boycott saw organisations, parties, unions, and citizens band together to resist paying the unpopular, controversial electronic tolling system that has been active since late 2013.

Practical question:
How will #taxrevolt work if 90% or more of tax is deducted automatically? #PAYE (deducted by your employer,)#VAT (charged at shop)#FuelLevy (included in petrolprice)
And how will you stop #SARS from taking what you owe them straight from your bank account? https://t.co/47aGs0gX1D

— OUTA (@OUTASA) January 28, 2019

#OUTA = Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse (therefore, against #taxabuse). We’re NOT against paying taxes. Our stance on a #taxrevolt has been very clear since we have been asked to lead it in 2016. https://t.co/La8kIkem6i

— OUTA (@OUTASA) January 28, 2019

The Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse (Outa), however, has since taken to Twitter to express its opposition to a tax revolt, saying the organisation isn’t against paying tax, only against tax abuse.

The organisation’s director, Wayne Duvenage, told Power FM that Zille’s call for a revolt is irresponsible, despite his understanding “the frustration”.

Judge Dennis Davis, who heads the Davis Tax Committee told the radio station the committee has always resisted calls for tax revolts, as “we’re all in one state together”. The radio committee said its purpose was to “assess South Africa’s tax policy framework and its role in supporting the objectives of inclusive growth.”

Zille responded, calling Outa “hypocritical” for not supporting the proposed tax revolt.

If Outa is distancing itself from a #TaxRevolt it is profoundly hypocritical. It is built on one of the most successful Tax Revolts in SA’s history.

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— Helen Zille (@helenzille) January 27, 2019

The DA, meanwhile, has distanced itself from calls for the tax revolt, with leader Mmusi Maimane saying he doesn’t support it.

Before this, director of communication Mabine Seabe told IOL the party believed in tax as a means of building South Africa and DA MP Phumzile van Damme stressed on Twitter that a tax revolt would go against party policy, as the party believed the “rule of law” was “sacrosanct”.

Despite the social media backlash, with the majority of Twitter users against the idea, some on the platform have expressed support for the proposed revolt.

I do not support a #taxrevolt. Let’s win the elections and demonstrate proper management of resources of our people’s money. Let’s use them for the benefit of all citizens. We will ensure the criminals end up in jail. Use your vote!

— Mmusi Maimane (@MmusiMaimane) January 28, 2019

A tax revolt would be illegal. That violates the constitutional principle of the rule of law, which we have fought hard for & to ensure it applies to all equally. Similarly, our democracy was hard fought for, we value it, even if it gives the outcomes we do not desire.

— Phumzile Van Damme (@zilevandamme) January 27, 2019

Will the announcement include steps to be taken against Zille for her treasonous comments agitating for tax revolt?

— Mzwanele Manyi (@MzwaneleManyi) January 28, 2019

Why didn't Zille the racist start a tax revolt against the apartheid regime. If this was initiated by Malema would the DA support it. If Mmusi becomes president after elections would the DA support it. https://t.co/e5QgXCXDkU

— Kwame wa Azania (@Kwame63392274) January 28, 2019

I think, Helen Zille, that this idea of a tax revolt is the heavy artilliary of protest. It will be devastatingly effective.

— Mark Fysh (@Rusticator) January 27, 2019

They all have Zille derangement syndrome. Let the commies moan I don’t care. Tax Revolt!!!

— Kevin The Unboiled 🐸 (@Kevin42245957) January 27, 2019

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