File picture: Denis Farrell File picture: Denis Farrell
Johannesburg - The National Education, Health and Allied Workers Union (Nehawu) has expressed concern over the amount of money spent by the government on judicial commissions of inquiry.
In a statement issued on Monday, the union said the government has spent over R300 million of taxpayers’ money to fund judicial commissions of inquiry.
“The amount will go up considering that there is another judicial commission of inquiry that is coming up on the state capture allegations. We view this as reckless use of taxpayers’ money.”
Nehawu said the millions of rands used for these “useless” inquiries could be used to address the poverty and unemployment problems facing the country.
“In a country ravaged by the triple challenges of abject poverty, rising unemployment and inequalities, R300 million is a lot of money that can be used to address these challenges,” said the union.
The union also said it supports the Independent Commission for the Remuneration for Public Office decision that there will be no salary increase for public and political officials due to the economic situation.
“The working class and the poor are the ones that bear the brunt of the economic and fiscus down-trends, so it is only fair that those who are entrusted with running our economy lead in front in relation to tightening their belts.”
@heidigiokos
LABOUR BUREAU