Adjunkspeaker, die VF Plus is op rekord dat belastingverligting in plaas van meer belastings ekonomiese groei sal stimuleer. Die hele kwessie van belasting moet in sy geheel verstaan word teen die land se ekonomiese stand en dit wat ons wil bereik. In 'n neutedop is dit oor en oor bewys dat ekonomiese groei net plaasvind indien die staat ophou inmeng in die mark. (Translation of Afrikaans paragraph follows.)
[Adv A D ALBERTS: Deputy Speaker, the FF Plus has put it on record that tax relief, as opposed to more taxes, will stimulate the economy. The whole tax issue should be understood in its entirety against the country's economic status and the goals we want to achieve. In a nutshell, it has been proven over and over again that economic growth only happens once the state stops interfering in the market.]
As for the Employment Tax Incentive Bill, we are of the view that it is a good start in lessening the tax burden of the taxpaying middle class. We are of the view, however, that this must not be limited only to employees within special economic zones but should extend to the country as a whole. The Special Economic Zones Bill has not been finalised as yet, and due to the fact that the process of declaring special economic zones is long- winded, it will thus take some time before the incentives can be effected.
Die realiteit is dat Suid-Afrika tans onmiddellike belastingverligting nodig het. Daar is geweldige finansile druk op die middelklas, terwyl daar oral nuwe belastings opduik. Tans hou 'n klein minderheid belastingbetalers die land aan die gang, en dit kom al hoe meer voor asof die ANC-regering geen respek vir hulle het nie. In plaas daarvan dat hulle gekoester word, word net al hoe meer belastings ingestel wat verarming tot gevolg het. Voorbeelde is die e-tolstelsels wat in Gauteng gemplementeer gaan word en die talle wat daarna landwyd gaan volg en soos paddastoele opspring. Talle pensioenarisse moet hul eiendomme verkoop, omdat hulle nie meer eiendomsbelasting kan bekostig nie, ensovoorts. (Translation of Afrikaans paragraph follows.)
[The reality is that South Africa is in need of immediate tax relief at the moment. The middle class is under enormous pressure, whilst new taxes are being imposed everywhere. A small minority of taxpayers are currently keeping the country afloat, and it seems increasingly as if the ANC-led government has no respect for them. Instead of cherishing them, more and more taxes are imposed that lead to impoverishment. A case in point is the e-tolling system that is to be implemented in Gauteng, and the many others that will follow across the country, springing up like mushrooms. Many pensioners have to sell their property because they can no longer afford rates and taxes and so on.]
So, while this Bill is a step in the right direction, the other tax Bills are enhancing a tax system that is tightening the noose around the throat of the average citizen's financial health. This is taking place against a background where South Africa is regarded as the most vulnerable emerging market, according to a poll of investors conducted by the influential The Economist magazine. This country's economy is underperforming due to internal structural problems that keep the true racing horses of our economy from bolting.
Dit is deur rasse-ideologiese verknegdheid wat gestalte gee aan perverse beleide soos regstellende aksie, wat kaderontplooiing moontlik maak en meriete ignoreer, en swart ekonomiese bemagtiging, waarvoor geen bewyse bestaan dat dit werklik werk nie, dat die ekonomie teruggehou word en almal uiteindelik benadeel word. (Translation of Afrikaans paragraph follows.)
[It is because of the obsession with racial ideology that shapes perverse policies such as affirmative action, which allows for cadre deployment and ignores merit, and black economic empowerment, with no evidence that it actually works, that the economy is hampered, which is ultimately to the detriment of all.]
The Minister of Finance has taken a step in the right direction, but on the other end of the spectrum there are too many steps in the wrong direction that will probably extinguish any advances arising from this Bill. Thank you.