The Inkatha Freedom Party was the first to welcome Finance Minister Trevor Manuel’s 2005/06 Budget tabled in Parliament on Wednesday.
IFP finance spokesperson Temba Vezi said: ”The IFP sees the Budget as a highly commendable and realistic plan of financial action, but given the experiences of previous budgets, has some doubt as to government’s ability to meet its implementation requirements.”
The R22,3-billion earmarked over the next three years to increase social security was most welcome.
”We are however mindful of the fact that there are interventions that cannot be sustained, as the minister has often said.”
The R5-billion allocated to improve levels of remuneration and to increase police numbers was most welcome, as it could lead to further reduction of crime.
The IFP also lauded the R6,9-billion for teachers and social workers to improve remuneration levels and retain scarce skills.
”The IFP is especially concerned that there is no concrete solution put forward to address the employment crisis. There are also no concrete suggestions to address the HIV/Aids crisis. The IFP implores both relevant ministers to come up with immediate solutions to this national crisis,” Vezi said. – Sapa