Book balancing act

JOBS: EXPERTS SAY GODONGWANA'S BUDGET WON'T STIMULATE GROWTH

- Eric Mthobeli Naki

Minister of Finance Enoch Godongwana's budget is a book balancing exercise and will not stimulate growth, say experts. Political economic analyst Daniel Silke said: "Even the department of the Treasury's own projections for growth over the next three years remain below 2%, which is grossly inefficient and insufficient for a country like ours," Silke said.

Political analyst Sandile Swana said although the value-added tax (VAT) increase appeared to be low, the poor and the middle class would be affected adversely.

He said there were other items vital to low and medium income earners which could have been included on the zero-rating list.