It is estimated that 30% of the total
cigarettes bought over the last three years were from illegal origins. In turn
this has cost the government R12 billion in taxes. This is according to a
recent study by the Tobacco Institute of Southern Africa. This was labelled South Africa's top story of the day, yesterday.
By this, one could infer that if you’re
a smoker, or rather a smoker who acquires his/her cigarettes in some illegal
manner, that you’re robbing the government of money which could otherwise be
used to create jobs, build schools and well correct so much that is wrong with
this country at the moment.in essence one could even say that you're robbing fellow South African's. I have no doubt that this is what we will continue to hear from our government in this regard.
The question is, is this really true? Is it
such a problem that R12 Billion is being taken from the government in taxes? In
honesty is it really making a difference? For instance, where would this money
actually go if the government had received their R12 billion? Would we actually
see things change? Would the money go to the right places or would it, as has
consistently been the case over the last while, go into the back pockets of our
Ministers and alike?
Just earlier this year Zuma had made
inroads to purchase a new Boeing 777 estimated at R2 billion. Julius Malema was
recently in court for tax evasion totaling R16 million. Once more, Zuma has
displayed his inclination towards the finer things in his recent use of R24
million in tax payers’ money to upgrade his Nkandla mansion. The complex which
he upgraded has an estimated worth of R248 million.
Now, what I’m not saying is that partaking
in illegal activities should be condoned. But, what I am saying is, when it comes
to the figures and what actually happens to the money, is it worth cracking the
whip on smokers when Helen Zille is barred from inspecting the Nkandla mansion as
part of her legally mandated public oversight role? It seems somewhat petty.
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