PETER BRUCE: That screeching was Tito Mboweni hitting the brakes on promises to cut spending
The finance minister has reneged on his commitment to cap debt at 87% of GDP within three years
Finance minister Tito Mboweni’s speeches are often so thin there seems little point in giving them. For the latest — the medium-term budget policy statement — you wonder why he bothered to travel all the way from Magoebaskloof to Cape Town. Why not just put out a statement?
I don’t mean to be nasty, but the expense of it all hardly matches the result. The sound we heard on Wednesday afternoon was promises being broken. The odd digital screech on TV was actually the minister backsliding on his commitment earlier in 2020 to cap our debt at 87% of GDP within three years. This was part of his “active scenario” — a tough minister taking on a wayward government...
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.