Die VF Plus beskou die fiskale raamwerk en die sentiment daaragter om werkloosheid aan te pak en gevolglik armoede terug te stoot, as 'n stap in die regte rigting. Daar is egter 'n paar tendense wat kommerwekkend is en ons versoek dat die Minister daaraan aandag sal gee.
Eerstens raak die belastingstelsel vir die individu te kompleks en swaar om te dra. Daar is menige nuwe belastings en heffings wat die finansile oorlewing van die belastingbetaler ondraaglik maak, soos die nuwe grondbelasting. Verskeie sluipbelastings, bekend as "stealth taxes", bestaan, waarvan baie belastingbetalers nie bewus is nie, soos die belastings op brandstof. Belastings moet eerder eenvoudig wees, sodat die belastingbetaler kan verstaan wat hy of sy moet betaal en waarvoor dit aangewend gaan word.
Tweedens, die skakel tussen belastinginkomste en die allokasie van daardie fondse tot uitgawe-items is nie duidelik nie. 'n Voorbeeld is die inkomste gegenereer deur die fiskus deur middel van die belasting op brandstof en fooie vir voertuiglisensies. Navorsing wys dat hoogstens 10% van die inkomste terug gaan na die Suid-Afrikaanse Nasionale Padagentskap Bpk, SANPAB, vir opgradering en instandhouding van paaie. Die vraag is: Waarheen gaan die res van die geld? (Translation of Afrikaans paragraphs follows.)
[Adv A D ALBERTS: The FF Plus views the fiscal framework and the sentiment behind it, to address unemployment and in consequence ward off poverty, as a step in the right direction. There are, however, several trends that are worrying and we would like to ask that the Minister address this.
Firstly, the system of taxation is becoming too complicated and a heavy burden for the individual. There are several new taxes and levies that are making the financial survival of the taxpayer unbearable, such as the new land tax. Various other taxes, known as stealth taxes, exist, of which many taxpayers are not aware, such as the levies on fuel. Taxes should rather be uncomplicated, in order for the taxpayer to have an understanding of what he or she has to pay and for what it is going to be used.
Secondly, the connection between tax revenues and the allocation of those funds to expenditure items is not clear. An example of this is the revenue generated by the fiscus by means of the levy on fuel and fees for motor vehicle licences. Research indicates that not more than 10% of the revenue goes back to the South African National Road Agency Ltd, Sanral, for the upgrading and maintenance of roads. The question is: Where is the rest of the money going?] Thirdly, in terms of section 214(1)(a), the Constitution requires that an Act of Parliament must provide for an equitable division of revenue. It is our view that the allocation of R1,2 billion to an entity like the National Youth Development Agency, NYDA, is not equitable, especially in light of the fact that Treasury does not know how the NYDA intends to fulfil its mandate. We therefore request the Minister to reallocate R20 billion from NYDA to the South African National Roads Agency Ltd, Sanral, to pay for the Gauteng Freeway Improvement Project as the road users are clearly not able to foot that bill via unreasonable toll fees. Furthermore, we request that the Minister impose conditions in respect of the NYDA appropriations in terms of section 4(1)(a) of the Appropriation Bill in order to promote and enforce transparency and effective management by the agency.
Lastly, internal efficiencies that can save money must be intensified. The Auditor-General's audit outcomes report for 2009-2010 indicates irregular expenditure for state departments of more than R2 billion and for public entities of more than R1,5 billion. This situation is unacceptable in light of the fact that the taxpayer cannot carry the current burden anymore.
Minister, the average taxpayer is on his last legs. Use their money prudently. I thank you, Deputy Speaker.