ANC accuses the DA for less consideration on the poor society

Mbasa Gqokoma
06 March 2015

The African National Congress in the Western Cape said the provincial budget for 2015/2016 which was delivered on Thursday missed the mark in catering for the poor.

 ANC Finance Spokesperson in the provincial legislature Carol Beerwinkel said far too little is being invested in the rural areas for development and little support is given to struggling municipalities.

Beerwinkel says “they were very little concerned about the balance of empowerment, job creations and elevation of poverty would be spread right across the province to even reach the rural areas.

If you look at the budget, you will see that huge amount be spent on salaries and compensation, goods and services.

 If they were really serious about looking after the poor, then one would expect rural development and agriculture which is the great spinner for job creation got a lot more attention, Beerwinkel added.

Meanwhile Western Cape MEC of Finance Ivan Meyer said the budget did carter to poor people.

MEC Meyer delivered his R52 billion budget with the larger part of the budget going to education and health.

Meyer says “large part of this money will definitely go to poorer communities and funding the issues of poverty.

Meyer adds that R18.8 billion rand is going towards the health and R17 billion rand goes to the education department and that is largely to deal with issues of poor communities in terms of bringing health care to poor communities and building new schools and educational infrastructure in poor communities.