Opinion piece by Errol Naidoo
Finance Minister, Enoch Godongwana delivered what many analysts defined as a “good news budget.” Significantly, however, the R28,8 billion surplus collected by SARS and the scrapping of R20 billion in tax-increases are undermined by rampant ANC corruption.
Following a decade of stagnation, the economy is projected to grow over the next three years. But SA’s debt will reach 78,9 percent of GDP. Godongwana claimed this will decline over the next few years. However, he failed to clarify how borrowing will decline when hundreds of billions of taxpayer funds are wasted and stolen by corrupt ANC cadres.
Tragically, there can be no “good news budget” as long as the ANC organized crime network remains in power to loot the country’s resources with impunity. President Cyril Ramaphosa remains in power because he enables this staggering theft of SA’s wealth.
Godongwana cancelled R20 billion in planned tax increases. However, tens of billions of taxpayer money is thrown down a black hole by the incompetent and corrupt ANC in the City of Johannesburg. The ANC destroyed the JHB city center then abandoned it. City Power incurred R16,3 billion in debt because of corruption and gross mismanagement.
The Passenger Rail Agency of SA (PRASA) wasted R4 billion on refurbishing old trains. PRASA is mired in fraud, corruption and mismanagement that cost the taxpayer tens of billions. Inept and corrupt PRASA executives are given a free pass by Ramaphosa.
Unsurprisingly, the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) uncovered massive fraud at the Dept of Home Affairs. Officials issue fraudulent permits to foreigners seriously compromising SA’s national security. An SIU investigator said, “South Africa was sold one permit at a time.”
Disqualified companies linked to Deputy President, Paul Mashatile’s son – implicated in the cancelled corruption ridden R836 million “Independent Development Trust” tender – was awarded a new R379 million contract by the Development Bank of South Africa (DBSA).
The Public Investment Corporation (PIC) that manages R3 trillion in investments on behalf of the Government Employees Pension Fund (GEPF) “amicably” terminated the employment of its “chief investment officer.” Billions of public funds were lost at the PIC.
Three senior officials from the National Dept of Health were arrested by the Hawks in connection with fraud and theft. ANC cadres have mercilessly looted the health budgets of SA. This includes Ramaphosa’s nephew who looted R2 billion from Tembisa Hospital.
R50 million was looted from ‘soldiers funds’ at the SA National Defense Force (SANDF) to finance (fake) “generals” credit cards. The SANDF is considered a joke. Badly trained and under resourced soldiers are often deployed to military assignments by inept leaders.
The ANC run Ekurhuleni Municipality is collapsing under the weight of ANC criminality, theft, fraud, and mismanagement. The embattled mayor lodged an urgent court bid to stop media reports that linked him to the murder of forensic investigator, Mpho Mafole.
Former Ekurhuleni city manager, Imogen Mashazi chartered a private jet for a 3-day trip to London. She claimed the trip was a “gift” but refused to declare the donor. A pharmacist who accompanied her on the trip was later granted a R10 million fuel supply contract.
Higher Education Minister, Buti Manamela and two deputies racked up a R5,8 million travel bill. The trio appear to be using their positions to travel the world at taxpayer expense while doing very little to improve the crumbling facilities and standards of higher education.
The ANC run Nelson Mandela Bay mayor, Babalwa Lobishe is investigated by the Hawks for multiple counts of fraud and corruption. ANC cadres have run the Eastern Cape into the ground. Corruption and mismanagement have destroyed this once vibrant province.
Former Eskom boss and newly elected MK party treasurer, Brian Molefe is now linked to a secret multi-million-rand slush fund – used to fund a luxury lifestyle. Molefe is implicated in State Capture and linked to the Gupta crime family’s multi-billion-rand looting spree.
The staggering rates of ANC facilitated corruption, theft, fraud, racketeering and money laundering means SA will not enjoy a “good news budget” until the ANC, MK and EFF are voted out of power. FPI and RSACRA are working diligently to make this goal a reality.
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Date published: 03/03/2026
Feature images sourced from article
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