Hlophe suggests SA buys oil from Iran, tax foreign companies more, reintroduce compulsory military service
The MK Party parliamentary leader was participating in the debate on the Presidency’s budget in the National Assembly on Tuesday.
MK Party chief whip John Hlophe speaks to the media after being sworn in as an MP on 25 June 2024. Picture: Lindsay Dentlinger/Eyewitness News
CAPE TOWN - UMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party parliamentary leader John Hlophe has suggested that the country should buy cheaper oil from Iran, tax foreign companies more and reintroduce compulsory military service.
He also said if ministers forego some of the perks on offer to them, there would be more money available to deal with pressing national issues like crime.
Hlophe was participating in the debate on The Presidency’s budget in the National Assembly on Tuesday.
Hlophe said rather than borrow money from Western-based institutions like the International Monetary Fund (IMF), government should turn to the BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa) Bank.
He said the fiscus can also be boosted if companies in general, and foreign companies in particular, pay more tax.
“Those companies that we were told would run away if taxes are increased, marginally or by a significant proportion, those very companies are still here. They are still mining in this country, paying our workers salaries which are clearly sometimes not up to scratch.”
Hlophe said government should also explore cheaper oil imports to alleviate fuel costs.
“The question I would like to ask is why can’t we import oil from Iran? Iran has the cheapest oil, I’m told. I’m not an oil expert.”
Hlophe said compulsory military service would make the youth more responsible citizens, instill self-discipline and give idle youth the opportunity to develop skills.
President Cyril Ramaphosa will respond to the debate on Wednesday afternoon.
Meanwhile, Deputy Communications Minister Mondli Gungubele has taken a swipe at Hlophe for being uninformed about the workings of government.
Sweeping a marathon debate on The Presidency’s budget vote, Gungubele pointed out the irony of Hlophe’s suggestion that South Africa import oil from Iran to reduce fuel costs.
“He says, ‘I’m told it’s cheap’. He didn’t check it, but he wants to advise an August House to do that. But let me read something for you. When was the oil cut with Iran? It’s 2 August 2012. President Ubaba. That is when the oil was cut with Iran.”
Gungubele also hit back at Hlophe questioning why there are corruption-accused among the African National Congress (ANC)’s caucus.
“But you are led here, in this party, by somebody who’s before court for numerous charges of corruption. The president of the ANC has not been charged by any court as a matter of fact.”