'tsek!

there are many phrases and adages in the south african culture that are fantastically dismissive, with voetsek! (or the variation, ’tsek!) being the one that crosses cultural boundaries in this hot pot of a country. yet despite this dismissive-when-fed-up element of our culture, south africans as taxpayers have been complacent – as if there is an income ceiling for mass action. there are two particular things – actually three – that have caused me frustration this year, as a taxpayer – these induced the above thought.

the first is having official municipal car guards outside my office, charging R8/hour (i know this has been happening in Cape Town for a while, but it is new to the City of Gold). so this is in addition to my taxes? okay deep breath...

the second thing was the tolls (which have thankfully been put off for a while), but this essentially targets people moving into Johannesburg, of which there are an estimated 2 million, daily. these 2 million people are, largely, not coming to socialise, but to work and contribute to the continent's largest city-economy (fun fact: jo'burg's gdp is larger than all african countries, apart from south africa, nigeria and angola). so, again, this is in addition to our taxes? deeper breath...

and thirdly, came the cherry on this advantage-taking cake: the auditor general's report which said that there had been R1.4 billion worth of 'unauthorised expenditure' in gauteng in 2010/2011 and R48 billion worth of 'irregular expenditure'.

so, as a taxpayer, i should pay for services that should be included in my taxes, such as parking and using the highway, while the province spends R49.4 billion in a manner that seems to be a great mystery? 'tsek!


anyway, #imjussayin

jamie