Inferior stats from StatsSA
2004-10-05 14:05
Dear Editor,
It is a matter of growing concern that the statistical product that comes from StatsSA, the government backed statistical service, is of inferior quality.
Before these allegations were made, StatsSA released the employment figures and indicated that our figures were improving. Now however I call into question the quality of these figures.
Any economist will tell you that statistics need to be scrupulously monitored and properly adjusted to prevent false figures and biased projections.
False figures call into question the integrity of any institution and give the wrong impression, which could cost millions.
So it is with the figures for joblessness in South Africa. If StatsSA have given the wrong figures then can we be sure that the unemployment rate has remained steady for the last six months? How can we be sure that unemployment isn't actually on the rise and will cost the country millions?
Whether good or bad we need accuracy in all our figures if we are to improve the country.
Yours sincerely,
Brian Goodall, MPL
Leader of the DA at the Gauteng Legislature
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