MTBPS 2020: ’SAA bailout at the expense of safety, dignity and jobs’

CAPE TOWN – Western Cape Finance and Economic Opportunities MEC David Maynier says there were some positive notes from the Finance Minister Tito Mboweni’s Medium-term Budget Policy Statement (MTBPS), although he decried the bailout to state-owned South African Airways (SAA).

Maynier noted that commitments to immediate food relief for poor households, support for early childhood development centres and support for job creation initiatives through the Provincial Roads Maintenance Programme were a plus.

“But at the end of the day, the bailout to SAA is unjustifiable and simply wrong,” he said.

Maynier said what was clear was that the provincial budget has been cut by a further R1.47 billion in this financial year in the Western Cape.

“What is worse, is that our biggest fear was confirmed – provincial budgets have been cut to fund the R10.5 billion bailout of SAA.