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Cape Town - The overwhelming majority of Fin24 users who responded to Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan's call for views on what government is doing well listed 'tax collection' and 'nothing' as outstanding areas.
While some users could identify areas in which the government is pulling its weight, many resorted to sarcasm to highlight their disappointment in lacklustre performance.
User Shannon De Villiers said the government excels at promoting tourism, making education more accessible, and listening to the public on serious matters.
According to user Derek, government is reasonably good at collecting taxes. He advises Gordhan to "keep it up, but don't increase income tax or company tax. Rather go for a VAT increase".
Phumlani Mdletshe lauds the Zuma-led government for providing free basic education.
According to Philip Jones the provision of grants and low-cost housing is a good thing, but he bewails the fact that people take advantage of the benefit.
Sue Swart lists the new provident/pension fund ruling, tax free savings accounts, and the fees must fall freeze on increases in tertiary education as positive performance areas.
INFOGRAPHIC: Performance areas in which government is doing well, according to Fin24 users.
Talk, talk, talk
However many Fin24 users thought sarcasm was the best approach to inform the Finance Minister of what government was doing well.
According to user Doug Laurie the government does very well at:
- Stealing from the poor
- Talk, talk, talk, talk ... setting no deadlines, resulting in no action.
- Refer contentious issues to 'committees' so the subject matter just gets buried.
Matthew Hammond wrote "They line their own pockets very well, protect proven criminals from justice very well, and spend tax payers money on futile and wasteful expenditure very well".
John Rodger thought that the Jacob Zuma-led government did really well at "stealing, lying, and blaming others".
"Nothing, Nothing, Nothing," were the three things at which the government excels according to Pieter Jansen van Rensburg.
User Ashley's list of three things government is doing well is tax collection, increased cost of living for the poor, and the awarding of more BEE contracts and opportunities to ANC connected people of front companies.
* Post your Pointers for Pravin hereor email it to us.
