Corruption puts strain on South Africa budget
Johannesburg, 21 Feb – (ANA) - Lucas Netshiavha feels resentful whenever he sees the slice of his salary taken by South Africa's taxman, since - so he believes - a large chunk will end up in the pockets of corrupt politicians or be washed down the drain of state mismanagement.
"I wouldn't mind so much if my 'donation' was properly spent on education, medicine in hospitals or to help my grandmother back in my home village, but I have serious doubts that's happening," the IT specialist said.
Netshiavha is well paid, but his pay packet is split between his widowed mother and two siblings, and his fears of wasted taxes and creeping corruption under President Jacob Zuma are not unfounded.
Since he came to office in 2009, Zuma has come under fire for what many see as a failure to crack down on officials implicated in misappropriating billions of dollars in state funds.
"Corruption is the bane of our country," IFP opposition leader Mangosuthu Buthelezi told Zuma during a debate in parliament last week. "Yet, sir, you shy away from this issue."
Despite raking in over 600 billion rand in taxes each year, Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan is likely to announce a budget deficit of more than 5 percent on Wednesday to fund social services and infrastructure spending. (ANA)
FA/ANA/21 February 2012--------