NHI accused of facilitating ‘looting’ and ‘excessive’ taxation

Floyd Shivambu, the deputy leader of the EFF, has strongly criticised the enactment of the National Health Insurance (NHI) Act, arguing that it is illogical and misdirected.

Shivambu argues that NHI Act is illogical and misdirected

Amid both praise and criticism, President Cyril Ramaphosa signed the contentious bill into law on Wednesday.

The legislation aims to offer free universal healthcare to all South African citizens. 

However, critics have criticised it, arguing that it will undermine private medical services and deteriorate overall healthcare provision.

Health Minister Joe Phaahla encouraged medical professionals and citizens to dismiss the pessimistic predictions.

At the same time, Shivambu remarked that those rejoicing over the signing were likely doing so because they believed it would be President Ramaphosa’s final occasion to enact any legislation.

“We’re told this is the ‘left’ we can rely on to move forward the transformation agenda. Such pettiness that they can’t read the momentous occasion of the signing of the NHI Bill into law! They join the chorus of counter-revolution!”

According to The Citizen, it triggered a verbal altercation with ANC secretary-general Fikile Mbalula, who characterised Shivambu’s remarks as trivial and insignificant.

Shivambu responded by asserting that the Act did not align with leftist or progressive ideals.

He argued that rather than addressing governance failures that led to the collapse of the healthcare system, the Act sought to resolve a funding crisis.

“There’s also nothing logical about it because the crisis of health care in South Africa is not funding. It’s a crisis of the dismal failure to prioritise primary health care and also the government’s failure to build a responsible responsive single-tier health care system.

“NHI in its current [form] will present an opportunity to scrupulous health care institutions to withdraw from the fund without doing any work. There’s nothing momentous about Ramaphosa’s NHI.”

Helen Zille, the DA federal council chairperson, alleged that the Act served as a pretext for the ruling party to misappropriate funds.

Ramaphosa criticises wealthy taxpayers for resistance against NHI

President Cyril Ramaphosa criticised affluent individuals for their opposition to the National Health Insurance (NHI) Bill, despite concerns from many quarters that the bill encroaches upon the constitutional rights of South Africans.

Ramaphosa signed the NHI Bill into law on Wednesday. The ruling party asserted that the Bill would overhaul the healthcare system and accomplish universal coverage.

 The National Council of Provinces in Parliament approved the Bill in December and forwarded it to the president for signature.

“While our health system has had a great impact on people’s lives, we are working to improve both the quality of healthcare and equality of access,” Ramaphosa said in his 2024 SONA.

He added that the government plans to implement the NHI incrementally and will “deal with issues like health system financing”.

Ramaphosa brushed off criticism of the NHI Bill, attributing it to fearmongering by affluent individuals. Speaking at the ANC Progressive Business Forum, he remarked, “The opposition to NHI comes from well-to-do, rich people. It is coming from those who have the ability.”

“This is what often happens. The haves don’t want the have-nots to benefit from what they have been having.”

“We are saying, through NHI, all of our people must have equality. There must be equality for all in our country.”

He suggested that the push for equality instills fear in many individuals, drawing a parallel to democracy, which, he remarked, “drove fear into the hearts of white people in this country.”

They were terrified. They were so afraid. When everyone gets a vote, it means the privileges that they always had are now going to disappear,” he said.

Ramaphosa added, “We cannot go on with the new South Africa when we still have inequality in some areas of life.”

“Healthcare, which is the most important area of life for anyone, is one area where we need equality. Believe me, we will have equality, whether people like it or not,” he said.