KZN Budget May Founder on Crime and Graft

March 1, 2007

The IFP broadly embraces the 2007/2008 provincial budget, but fears that it will founder on the ground if crime and corruption are not addressed first.

“As the Official Opposition, it is our duty to wonder and ask how safe the developmental state will be in ANC hands if the ruling party consistently underestimates or even denies the threats posed to development by crime and corruption,” said Leader of the Official Opposition Dr Lionel Mtshali MPP.

Notably, the Premier in his State of the Province Address made scant mention of crime and no mention whatsoever of corruption and fraud which is endemic in his administration, particularly in the Department of Agriculture and Environmental Affairs.

“Considering the broader implications of mismanagement, fraud and corruption for the entire provincial administration, the Premier’s silence is a disgrace.  Any budget that lives in denial of these realities will founder on the ground,” said Dr Mtshali.

The IFP is mildly concerned about the ideological thrust of the budget. “We have heard a lot about the developmental state lately. This is the ANC’s new buzzword. Considering how little luck the ruling party has had with ideological buzzwords previously, we are sceptical about a budget serving further ideological imperatives,” said Dr Mtshali.

On a more practical note, the IFP is concerned that the ruling party ANC has been deliberately misleading the public by inducing the people of KwaZulu Natal to give input on a budget that has been finalised and that cannot be amended to accommodate further recommendations.

”The IFP has argued that the input, which the People’s Budget road shows have been expected to yield, could not be incorporated into the budget since the budget had already been finalised by the national and provincial Treasuries,” said Dr Mtshali.

Contact: Dr Lionel Mtshali
083 256 4902