It said that the proposed amendments are “budget neutral” and would not have had any effect on the current fiscal deficit, which is estimated to be R139 billion.<\/p>\n
Notably, the party highlights that while growth has slowed down significantly, more people are unemployed and the cost of living has accelerated – the president’s salary has still increased by almost R600,000 over the past 7 years.<\/p>\n
It should be highlighted that inflation and food prices – as well as South Africa’s economic growth – have\u00a0also been affected by external factors.<\/p>\n Globally, the drive for commodities – South Africa’s key exports – has slowed significantly, especially with China, the world’s biggest consumer of commodities, facing its own economic slowdown.<\/p>\n South Africa has also been hit by severe drought, which when coupled with creeping growth and the weakness in the rand, has driven up food prices – specifically among staples such as maize.<\/p>\n However, economists have pointed out that it is undeniable that Zuma’s actions over the past few months specifically have had an adverse effect on the economy.<\/p>\n Secret UK military plan to keep the ANC in power: report<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Gordhan arrest off the cards \u2013 for now: report<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Gordhan arrest \u201cimminent\u201d: report<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n![\"How](\"http:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/How-much-Zumas-presidency-has-cost-SA-640x564.png\")
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