If you’re rich you will be taxed: EFF

03/02/2014. EFF central command team member Dali Mpofu speaks during a seminar titled "from apartheid to marikana" on education and labour at Unisa. Picture: Oupa Mokoena

03/02/2014. EFF central command team member Dali Mpofu speaks during a seminar titled "from apartheid to marikana" on education and labour at Unisa. Picture: Oupa Mokoena

Published Apr 24, 2014

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Johannesburg - The EFF in Gauteng will focus all its energy on improving the lives of the poor, the party's premier candidate Dali Mpofu said on Thursday.

“Our constituency is the poor and we make no shame about that,” he told reporters in Johannesburg.

“We are not going to balance, the development of our people is going to happen at the expense of the rich, full stop.”

Mpofu was speaking during a media briefing setting out the Economic Freedom Fighters' blueprint for the province, “Formula 777”.

It outlines the seven pillars the party was founded on -- seven values and priorities for the first 100 days in office.

He said the upliftment of the poor had to happen through rigorous taxation of the rich. He compared the flourishing economy and lifestyle of Sandton, Johannesburg, with the abject poverty of neighbouring Alexandra.

“Its a shame that we can have Sandton being so prosperous and Stjwetla [in Alexandra] next door where people don't have sanitation.”

Mpofu said government might have to integrate the tax base of Sandton with that of Stjwetla at the expense of Sandton residents.

“Stjwetla must be developed, it's as simple as that. We are tired of this diplomatic thing of trying to please everybody.”

Asked if such a move would not alienate the rich and make them vote for other parties, Mpofu said those who had the country's best interests at heart would support the party.

“If the business people do not realise that, it is in their own long-term interest that the poor are developed. Those who are wise and patriotic will vote for us because they will know that in the long run this will be in their best interest.”

Mpofu said no one wanted to live in a country of inequality, as this bred instability, crime, corruption, and social decay.

“You can't be an island of profit making while surrounded by people who are hungry. Those people are going to revolt and cause trouble for you.”

Sapa

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