Business Report says that the five metros want to raise R19-billion in additional funds from a tax on businesses. The report quoted eThekwini treasurer Krish Kumar as saying that the metros had discussed the matter with the National Treasury.
Busa says that the proposal was "unfortunate" as businesses already have to cope with a range of "stealth" taxes including toll roads and a significant escalation of administered prices for electricity and water.
Mail & Guardian says that additional taxes on turnover will hit small businesses particularly hard. It quotes Busa as saying metropolitan municipalities should focus on improving efficiency with the reported fiasco at the City of Jo'burg's finance department being a "case in point".
