THE Eastern Cape Young Communist League of SA (YCLSA) says down with government's cost cutting.
This follows the call by National Treasury to impose cost containment measures.
YCLSA provincial secretary Thabani Dlamini said in simple terms, government is putting everything on pause until further notice.
“This happens while about 491 000 young people in the Eastern Cape province are out of school and also unemployed,” he said.
Dlamini said they reject the call contained in the 4 September circular.
At its 15 August meeting, Cabinet noted that the economic growth outlook has worsened significantly relative to expectations outlined in the 2023 budget, given the impact of more intense load shedding and freight and port logistical constraints, among other factors.
The circular advises national government departments to identify programmes and projects that can be postponed or cancelled in provinces and municipalities, including reducing or stop spending on recruitment and travelling by officials.
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“This directive by National Treasury is just the continuation of the neoliberal front we have long stated that it has taken charge of the movement and is now taking charge of government.
"We will be watching with keen interest on how the Eastern Cape government will respond to this circular. On the side we will be mobilising all young people in the Progressive Youth Alliance and society at large to reject this circular. If government wants to cut spending, they must first reduce salaries of the executive and benefits attached,” said Dlamini.
He said for the Eastern Cape people, the direct meaning of the circular, among other things, is that the about 781 vacant funded posts by provincial government may be frozen, including the ones that have been closed already.
“They must reduce the unnecessary travel by the executive, including fancy lifestyle by leaders of government while the ordinary people live in poverty,” said Dlamini.
He said they will be writing to both the premier and the MEC for finance, advising both offices to be careful on the implementation of this circular if they are to implement it.
