Many political parties won’t make it to Parliament: Analyst

 @SITHOLEEXPRESS 

A total of 29 political parties will contest the national elections on May 7.

Wits University's School of Governance Professor Susan Booysen says although a large amount of money has been paid by political parties, some of them may not see their “investment” bear fruit.

Regardless of the deposit money that parties managed to pay, many of them won’t make it to the Parliament, explained Booysen. “It could mean financial wound [for those small parties], like the Kiss party that we have seen in the previous years."

She regrets the fact that individual money is put in the elections, saying that parties that will go to parliament will be refunded their deposit. Booysen also emphasised on the fact that smaller parties will have huge responsibilities once in parliament.

A total of 29 parties will contest the national elections on May 7, following Monday’s deadline for parties to submit all outstanding documentation and pay election deposits.

On Tuesday, the IEC announced that four political parties, including Iqela Lentsango – Dagga Party, Lekgotla for Democracy Advancement and South African Progressive Civil Organisation, were removed from the national ballot paper after failing to submit their documentation and pay election deposits on time.

For parties to participate on the elections, they are expected to pay R200 000, for provincial elections R45000 is required and for all the 10 elections, its R605 000, among other prerequisites.

One of the parties removed from the national ballot paper is the Africa Unite Party (AUP). The party has expressed disappointment. AUP vice-president, Charles Badenhorst says the cut-off affects them as the party. He says they didn’t have money that is requested by the IEC. Badenhorst says he wishes that the IEC can reduce the amount of money so that all parties can afford to participate in the national elections.

Earlier this month, Economic Freedom Fighter (EFF) challenged the IEC’s elections deposit model in the North Gauteng High Court.But the court dismissed the application by EFF.

Professor Steven Friedman says the IEC should not change anything regarding the requirements that parties should follow in order for them to contest in the elections. Friedman says the party that can't raise money, it can't win support. He says he doesn't think that the money required by the IEC is high compared to the international standard. 

This article first appeared on SABCNews site. It was done by Sthembiso Sithole.

Political manifestos usually unrealistic documents: Analyst

@SITHOLEEXPRESS

The DA and EFF launched their
 election manifestos on the weekend. SABC

Professor Steven Friedman says across the board political manifestos are usually quite unrealistic documents.

Speaking on SAfm AM Live, Friedman said: "All political parties continue to promise things which are simply not possible, like the six million jobs."

Over the weekend different political parties launched their manifestos. In its manifesto, the Democratic Alliance (DA) promises to address jobs, education, corruption and equal education, party leader Helen Zille said on Sunday.

"The manifesto we release today is a 'manifesto for jobs... Job creation is only possible if we cut corruption," Zille said in a speech prepared for delivery at the launch of the DA's 2014 election manifesto in Polokwane, Limpopo.

"Jobs are possible. Six million real and permanent jobs are within our grasp if we seize the moment at this election... We will stop politicians and their families doing business with government."

The ACDP also launched its election manifesto in Soweto on Saturday

Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader, Julius Malema, made a number of promises to thousands of his supporters at Mehlareng Stadium in Tembisa on Gauteng's East Rand on Saturday.

However, according to Professor Friedman, the EFF is not going to be in government therefore they can make any promises because they won’t be called to implement those things.

Some of those promises are a minimum wage of R4 000 a month for all South African workers, with higher figures for several sectors. He said if elected, the EFF would expropriate land without compensation, nationalise 60% of the country's mines and banks, and take over all big retail stores.

The African Christian Democratic Party (ACDP) also launched its election manifesto in Soweto on Saturday. One of the things party leader Kenneth Meshoe mentioned was a coalition government after May 7 elections.

Commenting on ACDP manifesto, Professor Friedman says he doesn’t see a coalition government happening anytime soon and that it might only happen in 2019.-Edited by Sthembiso Sithole.

Click here to listen to Professor Steven Friedman.

This article first appeared on SABCNews site. It was done by Sthembiso Sithole.

Drinkers and smokers to pay more for their vices

@SITHOLEEXPRESS

Sthembiso Sithole


Cigarettes will cost 68c more per pack of 20. (SABC)

Excise duties on alcoholic beverages (especially beer, sparkling wine and spirits) will increase by between 6.2 and 12 percent. There will be no rise in the excise duty on traditional African beer or beer powder, Finance Pravin Gordhan said during his 2014 budget speech.

Gordhan says:  “An increase in excise duties on alcoholic beverages and tobacco products are proposed, adding 9 cents to the price of a 340ml can of beer and 68 cents to a packet of 20 cigarettes.”

The Minister also announced an R4.80 increase of a bottle of whiskey.


The Minister chuckled as he said, “Members who want to leave right now to have their shot of whiskey before the increase, all these increases in sin tax come into effect immediately.”

Personal income tax relief amounts to R9.25 billion and about 40 per cent of the relief goes to South Africans  earning below R250 000 per year.

On the fuel levy and Road Accident Fund, the minister proposed an increased that will take effect from the second of April.

“In recognition of recent increases in the imported cost fuel, the general fuel levy increase is limited to an inflation-related 12 cents per litre, and the road accident fund levy will increase by 8 cents per litre.”

According to the Minister,  great strides have been made to improve the tax system.

Gordhan says: “We have also improved the fairness of the tax system by taxing residents on their worldwide income and taxing capital gains.”

These changes have brought the South African tax system more in line with international principals and have substantially broadened the country’s tax base.


This article first appeared on SABCNews site. It was done by Sthembiso Sithole during Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan's 2014 budget speech in Parliamnet.