* Zuma seen failing to crack down on graft
* Estimates of billions wasted, lost to corruption
* Ruling ANC under fire from its labour allies
By Stella Mapenzauswa
JOHANNESBURG, Feb 21 (Reuters) – Lucas Netshiavha
feels resentful whenever he sees the slice of his salary taken
by South Africa’s taxman, since – so he believes – a large chunk
will end up in the pockets of corrupt politicians or be washed
down the drain of state mismanagement.
“I wouldn’t mind so much if my ‘donation’ was properly spent
on education, medicine in hospitals or to help my grandmother
back in my home village, but I have serious doubts that’s
happening,” the IT specialist said.
Netshiavha is well paid, but his pay packet is split between
his widowed mother and two siblings, and his fears of wasted
taxes and creeping corruption under President Jacob Zuma are not
unfounded.
Since he came to office in 2009, Zuma has come under fire
for what many see as a failure to crack down on officials
implicated in misappropriating billions of dollars in state
funds.
Continued…
