Mixed reaction for Manuel
2008-10-21 19:05
Cape Town - Opposition parties on Tuesday had mixed reactions to Finance Minister Trevor Manuel's medium-term budget.
The Democratic Alliance praised Manuel for his consistence amid economic turmoil while the United Democratic Movement expressed concern at the minister's failure to present concrete plans on job creation and crime prevention.
"The UDM would have liked to see a clear budgetary commitment to stimulating the economy - with a view to job creation, as well as cash injections for the fight against crime and to improve the salaries and work conditions of teachers," UDM spokesperson on finance Jackson Bici said.
However, DA spokesperson on finance Kobus Marais said the official opposition was impressed with the priorities outlined by Manuel.
"The DA identifies strongly with the top priorities outlined... by Manuel, especially measures aimed at growing the economy and job creation; reducing crime; improving the quality of essential services such as education and health care," he said.
While the DA also welcomed Manuel's R1.4bn allocation to FIFA World Cup projects, it was concerned about a lack of political accountability on the projects.
"This has traditionally been the responsibility of former Deputy Finance Minister Jabu Moleketi, who has yet to be replaced. There needs to be politically accountable leadership of 2010 expenditure to ensure that we can provide the best and most successful Soccer World Cup possible," Marais said.
Freedom Front Plus leader Pieter Mulder praised Manuel for succeeding in successfully stepping over the tightropes and mine fields of economic and political factors which had an influence on South Africa at present.
"He succeeds economically in finding sufficient funds in order to continue with the government's important infrastructure programme, which includes Eskom developments and 2010, while he has to budget for less income from taxes," Mulder said.
"He also withstood the political pressure of the ANC's alliance partners such as the SACP and Cosatu, as can be seen from the fact that he was not prepared to adjust the inflation targets which they asked him to do."
The Inkatha Freedom Party said while it welcomed the increase in social grants, it was disappointed that the increase was only R20.
"We believe that the R20 per month increase in social grants, as announced by Minister Manuel today, is far from satisfactory," IFP spokesperson on finance Narend Singh said in a statement.
However, Singh said the party was impressed with increases for school nutrition as well as the Hospital Revitalisation Programme.
- SAPA