POINT OF ORDER
TIM COHEN: Private sector-led growth is the answer
Zuma’s failed spending drive shows state-led economies rooted in infrastructure investment is not the way to economic development
There is a letter in #GuptaLeaks batch that goes a long way to explaining the value-added tax (VAT) increase by Finance Minister Malusi Gigaba last week. It’s a long leap of logic and requires some explanation. The e-mail was sent by Pieter van der Merwe, Pretoria lawyer and CEO of VR Laser, a steel-cutting plant in Boksburg (not to be confused with Pretoria lawyer Gert van der Merwe, at one time the Gupta family lawyer), to the key members of the Oakbay exco — Salim Essa, Tony Gupta and Ronica Ragavan, on September 29 2014. Accounting firm PWC had contacted one of VR Laser’s black-empowerment partners, Benny Jiyane, after a report appeared in the Mail & Guardian about the huge acquisition of railway carriages by Transnet. The PWC representative contacted Jiyane with a view to setting up an interview about the report. Jiyane had clearly panicked and contacted Van der Merwe, who sent an e-mail to the Oakbay exco, talking strategy.At one point he says: "My opinion is that PwC is arrog...
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Subscribe now to unlock this article.
Support BusinessLIVE’s award-winning journalism for R129 per month (digital access only).
There’s never been a more important time to support independent journalism in SA. Our subscription packages now offer an ad-free experience for readers.
Cancel anytime.
Questions? Email helpdesk@businesslive.co.za or call 0860 52 52 00. Got a subscription voucher? Redeem it now.