Inter-ministerial committee welcomed, but little faith that government can investigate itself The Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse (OUTA) says it is time for the introduction of substantive and meaningful change and new mechanisms in the fight against corruption. “Covid-19 served to highlight the cracks in our governance systems, giving rise to even more shocking layers of corruption than society became accustomed to,” says Wayne Duvenage, OUTA’s CEO. “How can anyone live with themselves when … [Read more...] about Involve Civil Society in investigations of Covid-19 corruption
Outa
Consumers lose when electricity regulator is weak
Eskom wins, but NERSA, electricity users and taxpayers lose, says OUTA South Africa needs an electricity regulator who can defend the public from rising electricity prices. This week the high court again found the National Energy Regulator (NERSA) wanting. NERSA is supposed to be the independent energy regulator with the skills and capacity to assess whether Eskom’s applications for tariff increases are rational and reasonable, and set a fair price for electricity. Although Eskom is … [Read more...] about Consumers lose when electricity regulator is weak
Urgent measures needed to get debt under control
"Supplementary budget must herald fundamental change in the public sector", say OUTA and PARI The Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse (OUTA) and the Public Affairs Research Institute (PARI) made a submission on the supplementary budget as part of the public engagement process following Finance Minister Tito Mboweni’s Supplementary Budget last week. “A technical recession, the lockdown and now the massive contraction in the economy that is expected this year due to the impact of the Covid-19 … [Read more...] about Urgent measures needed to get debt under control
What Happened to the R46.13 Billion?
Heads must roll in municipalities following AG report says OUTA Municipalities have repeatedly ignored the AG’s red flags and recommendations, raising the need for new interventions and civil oversight mechanisms as authorities at both provincial and national level fail to take action to stem the decline. The Auditor-General of SA (AG) reported to Parliament this week that only 2% of the municipalities fully complied with supply chain management legislation. “The AG has raised red flags and … [Read more...] about What Happened to the R46.13 Billion?
Residents across 207 Municipalities plead for property rates relief
OUTA received over 50 000 signatures from people in need of property rates relief from their municipalities The Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse (OUTA) recently launched a petition calling on residents to sign the petition if they were in need of temporary property rates relief due to financial constraints caused by the COVID-19 disaster and governments lockdown regulations. “Our petition closed on 20 May 2020 and we received over 50 000 signatures from people in 207 different … [Read more...] about Residents across 207 Municipalities plead for property rates relief
Independent candidates to be included in national elections
OUTA welcomes Concourt judgment overturning sections of Electoral Act The Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse (OUTA) welcomes the Constitutional Court’s judgment in the case of the New Nation Movement and others, declaring sections of the Electoral Act unconstitutional. We believe this judgment should give rise to meaningful amendments to the act, which could reduce the problem of MPs and political leaders placing political party interests ahead of those of citizens and the country. “OUTA … [Read more...] about Independent candidates to be included in national elections
Eastern Cape government must dissolve Makana municipality now
Verdict should serve as warning to other municipalities who fails to put citizens first The Eastern Cape government must put the rights of citizens first and dissolve the Makana Local Municipality with immediate effect, as instructed by the Makhanda High Court on Thursday, according to the Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse (OUTA). Tim Tyrrell, Project Manager at OUTA, said it was time for the Eastern Cape government to stop wasting taxpayers’ money on costly litigation and instead use its … [Read more...] about Eastern Cape government must dissolve Makana municipality now
Electricity prices to go up even more than expected
Unacceptable that citizens have to pay for Eskom’s lack of proper management The Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse (OUTA) believes that Eskom has not done its homework in projecting its revenue, and therefore should not be allowed to claw back these shortfalls from customers when failing to achieve its unrealistic forecasts. The organisation reacted after the National Energy Regulator of South Africa (NERSA) approved Eskom’s application to recover another R13,3- billion from electricity users … [Read more...] about Electricity prices to go up even more than expected
Time for Parliament to crack the whip
OUTA urges Parliamentarians to improve oversight of government spending and performance Members of Parliament (MPs) must live up to their oath of office and defend the public by ensuring effective oversight of government. OUTA has produced a publication titled “Combating Corruption and Maladministration in the South African Public Sector: Tips for Members of Parliament”, which encourages MPs to provide ethical leadership and use their positions in Parliament to combat corruption and ensure … [Read more...] about Time for Parliament to crack the whip
No to salary increases and bonuses in government
Government now needs to cut the fat and lighten the load on taxpayers - OUTA The Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse (OUTA) is calling on national, provincial and local government to curb and cut unnecessary costs, starting with salary increases and bonuses. In a letter sent to the minister of CoGTA, Dr Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, and copied to the President as well as all provincial CoGTA executive council members, OUTA has called for direction and influence from the top, calling on all public … [Read more...] about No to salary increases and bonuses in government
Calls for temporary reduction of property rates due to COVID-19 disaster
Municipalities shouldn’t make residents choose between food on the table and paying rates The Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse (OUTA) is calling on municipalities countrywide to reduce property rates under the current state of disaster that was declared as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic. “The Covid-19 pandemic has had a significant financial impact on businesses and individuals and will continue to do so for several months to come. Municipalities around the country have the ability to … [Read more...] about Calls for temporary reduction of property rates due to COVID-19 disaster
Municipalities should be opened up to public oversight immediately
OUTA calls for civil oversight and real-time transparency to avoid more municipal tax abuse The Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse (OUTA) commends the proactive approach of and statement by Auditor-General Kumi Makwetu on safeguarding the Covid-19 relief funds allocated to municipalities by applying his powers to oversee these funds. However, OUTA is still concerned that this money will not benefit the poorest of the poor but rather sustain broken municipalities. "Citizens have very little … [Read more...] about Municipalities should be opened up to public oversight immediately
OUTA seeks greater performance transparency from Eskom
PAIA application asks for technical information on operating and environmental performance Eskom has continued to receive bailouts and increasing tariffs over the last decade but has been less than transparent about exactly how its operations are conducted. Questions at public hearings held by the National Energy Regulator (NERSA) do not yield meaningful answers. After several engagements with Eskom over the past few years, OUTA submitted a formal request to Eskom for information in terms of … [Read more...] about OUTA seeks greater performance transparency from Eskom
No to any increase in municipal electricity prices
South Africa can’t afford municipal price increases while dealing with the disastrous fallout of the Covid-19 pandemic OUTA is calling on the National Energy Regulator (NERSA) to block any increases in municipal electricity tariffs. NERSA is considering how much the municipalities will be allowed to increase the price of electricity to their customers on 1 July 2020. The regulator’s proposal is for an increase of 6.24%. This is based on the previously approved average increase in Eskom’s … [Read more...] about No to any increase in municipal electricity prices
Taxes and levies make up almost 70% of fuel price
OUTA calls on Government to reduce tax burden post-Covid19 crisis The Basic Fuel Price (BFP) component of the overall price of petrol in South Africa, is directly impacted by the international oil price, combined with the Rand / US Dollar exchange rate. From 2009 to 2014, the BFP has made up the largest component of the price of petrol in South Africa, ranging between 51% and 58% of the price of petrol (for 95 Octane inland price per litre). However, with Government’s ever increasing taxes … [Read more...] about Taxes and levies make up almost 70% of fuel price
