The decision of the Ministry of Treasury, to increase the money to buy cars for Ministers as well as Ministers of departments in the provinces, has been criticized.
This follows the increase in the car purchase fee, from R800 000 to R1.1 million. A coalition of trade unions, COSATU and the BOSA party, criticized this move by the Treasury.
Mr. Matthew Parks of COSATU, criticized this move and said it is like dying in the eyes of the poor.
He said the Treasury department is telling people to arrest thieves but on the other hand, they are making reckless decisions about money.
“The Treasury always complains that there is a money problem and wants to increase the tax that is charged when you buy goods, VAT, but he increases the benefits for people who already earn well. He increases the tax paid by workers because he wants to make politicians look good.”
He complained that it is not increased by the amount of money paid by unemployed people in the country, mine is R370 per month.
“This money does not increase, but it helps the poor. We want President Cyril Ramaphosa to intervene by overturning this measure.”
He said that it is not possible to keep complaining about money when only politicians are being rewarded.
“There is little money in the country, so politicians who have learned to live with this do not have it. They drive cars of the same type that are rebuilt in this country.”
He said the government has more important things to do and not focus on trivial things.
“Taxpayers expect the best from the government and not the exploitation of money. The increase in the money for politicians’ cars has not been spent and we want to remind them that local government elections are coming soon.”
The leader of BOSA, Dr Mmusi Maimane, criticized the government’s move to increase the car tax and said it shows that the government is far from the people.
He said this move is even in favor of deputy ministers as well as provincial prime ministers.
“This move will anger people, especially those who are unemployed and those who are suffering from hunger. Public money must fulfill important needs, not luxuries.”
He said they will continue to investigate the scandal as the Minister of Finance, Mr. Enoch Godongwana, disclosed the increase in money in the answer to the question asked by this group in Parliament.