1. The MF thanks the dedicated Hon. MEC and the treasury team for this report. Hon. MEC, the MF’s concerns remains Donor funding and PPP’s.
2. Currently, the global EU funding has ended in 2019 for HIV/AIDS but now there’s COVID-19, not caused by bio-lab disasters of South Africa’s making.
3. As a country and province that has been severely affected by the wrath of COVID-19, our planners should secure funds to replace the 2019 global funds stoppage, followed by the 2020 pandemic Chronology of disease funding stoppage and new pandemics are crystal clear.
4. PPP’s budget of R6,668 million from R8,615 million shows a R2, 541 million saving but Hon. MEC, this is only a salary bill. What benefit has this unit brought except undertaking continuous exploration with entities? We need tangible results in the areas of water, soil, air, energy and waste recycling and these involve infrastructure budget and skills partnerships given COVID-19 and recurrent floods.
5. The MF believes that the monopolization of our economy means resistance to wealth redistribution through PPP’s and CSR and these must be made mandatory through careful regulation with tax incentives like is the case with learnerships and skills levies.
6. Areas which need further reports are e-pricing, condonations and the crack team.
7. The other areas of revenue generation are slow and low whether it’s driver’s licenses or casinos, respectively. Ordinary citizens are financially burdened to pay for temporary licenses due to broken machines. The increase to our coffers must be reported on during appropriations and how affected persons will be reimbursed. Furthermore, it is time Gold Circle tax rates are revised to reflect its maintained profits, currently R422 million made mainly from poor people. The distribution percentage needs to be reviewed and the role of the department of Sports and Recreation in creating jobs must be considered, by repurposing the R67 million given to Gold Circle for transformation.
8. I conclude Hon. MEC, by reminding all of the economic mantra “There’s no such thing as a free lunch”. Keep this in mind every Durban July and Gold Cup.
9. The MF supports the R684, 109 million budget for the Provincial Treasury.
10. Thank you.

Hon. S. Thakur-Rajbansi