Cape Town - Fin24 users had their say after SA approved a R900m loan to Zimbabwe, with some supporting the decision while others say South Africa will never get the money back.
Zimbabwe's Finance Minister Tendai Biti on Monday said the a loan would help mend his country's cash-strapped economy.
Biti said that the country expects to harvest 900 000 tonnes of maize in 2013 - 1000 000 tonnes less than last year - and the country will also need funding for elections to be held later this year.
South Africans voiced their opinions and concerns via social media, with most showing no confidence in the fact that this was a loan.
Fin24 users said that there was no way Zimbabwe would ever be able to repay R900m.
However, a small group supported the loan on the premise that SA may need Zimbabwe in the future.
According to current findings on Fin24's voting booth, 10% felt the loan is a good gesture as "Zimbabwe needs help and SA may need them in the future".
Commenting on Fin24's Facebook page, Mbongeni Ntuliki also showed his support for Zimbabwe, saying that "neighbours help each other, it is good".
However, 87% of Fin24 voters considered this a reckless financial decision and felt the money should rather have been used to improve South Africa's own economy and infrastructure.
Healthcare, housing, unemployment and public safety were among the areas the public felt could be improved.
"Taking into account our deficit in current account, weak currency, unemployment, debate with no direction regarding labour wage subsidy, problems in education and so on, who on earth with logical thinking will expect solutions and common sense from politicians?" wrote Bhekani MzukulukaDenje Mteshane.
Sharing these sentiments, Cecilia van der Westhuizen commented that poverty is on the rise in our country and people are still waiting for houses, while municipal services continue to deteriorate.
It's not the fault of South Africans that President Robert Mugabe crippled the Zimbabwean economy, "so don't make us pay for it," she said.
- Fin24
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- Fin24
Something on your mind? Send us us your feedback.
Disclaimer: All articles and letters published on MyFin24 have been independently written by members of the Fin24 community. The views of users published on Fin24 are therefore their own and do not necessarily represent those of Fin24.
Fin24 reserves the right to obtain service providers' comments before publishing any articles or letters, and to edit any material used. Fin24 also reserves the right to edit or delete any and all user comments received.