Finance Minister Tito Mboweni turned to Twitter on Sunday in an effort to unleash a public debate on lifebuoys to struggling state enterprises.
Mboweni, known for his view that the South African Airways (SAA) is a burden on the economy, said on Twitter that citizens should decide on issues of public interest.
We must develop a democratic system in which ISSUES of NATIONAL importance & NOT party political significance are dealt with. In a proper democracy,a public debate must held leading to a REFERENDUM!!Let the Prople decide not the Politburo!The CITIZENS!! We the PEOPLE must decide!
— Tito Mboweni (@tito_mboweni) February 16, 2020
Ok. I hear you. For example, what are the citizens’ views on whether we should continue to bailout SOEs or invest the Public’s tax money on roads and other public goods!? I mean, REALLY?!! Let’s have a public debate!
— Tito Mboweni (@tito_mboweni) February 16, 2020
Let political demagogues not hide behind some defunct and antiquated Stalinism. Democratic centralism in today’s world is meaningless. It does not work.People must openly debate issues and not be dictated to by the Politburo. People have brains! Call a referendum is needed.
— Tito Mboweni (@tito_mboweni) February 16, 2020
While the party wants to open the door to private partners at Eskom, SAA has recently been placed in business rescue.
SAA’s business rescuers recently announced that a number of flight routes will be canceled.
According to the business rescuers, the decision was made to create a foundation for a strong and sustainable airline and to ensure that the company is more attractive to potential strategic partners.
