The letter writer says the poor will be hit the hardest with the VAT increase.
Image: Letter to the Editor
Jasmine Uys, Surrey Estate
It seems like the Government of National Unity (GNU) is only in name, because at the end of the day, the ANC just do what they want.
Just like with the Basic Education Laws Amendment Act (Bela), and now the VAT increase. Now half a percent might seem little, but in reality it's a lot of money that we, the ordinary citizens, are going pay more for. And the poorest of the poor will be hit the hardest.
On another note, I don't think it's right that we must pay levies on everything. Think about it, before you use water or electricity, you're already paying R500, actually for nothing. So whether you try to save on water, or electricity, you still pay a lot of money for it.
I also think that people over the age of 70 should pay only for the services that they use. What does the value of your property have to do with the services that you use? That's why you pay rates.
People over the age of 70 worked hard in their youth to be where they are today. In their retirement days they want to enjoy the fruits of their hard work, but now they are being punished for having a "comfortable" house, by paying levies on everything, sky-high rates, with much less money that they had, when they were still working.
The City of Cape Town must really go back to the drawing board and reconsider charging all this extra money for people who are already struggling with high food prices.