Mbhazima Shilowa | Reorganise government instead of tabling austerity measures

The country has not run out of money for social and economic infrastructure. It has run out of money to fund corruption, maladministration, and the opulent lifestyles of the political elite and their cronies, argues Mbhazima Shilowa.

If the government and National Treasury aim to scare the public into agreeing to increased taxation, value-added tax in particular, spreading falsehoods that the country will soon run out of money is going to backfire very badly.  

It is one thing to once more call on the government at all levels to tighten the belt and to use resources with due care, but it is another to suggest that failure to do so will result in South Africa reaching Armageddon sooner rather than later.