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VAT 25: 'Who Killed Cock Robin?'

VAT 25: 'Who Killed Cock Robin?'

IOL News08-05-2025

The VAT increase died because of the total hash of it made by a very inexperienced Minister of Finance.
Some of our more bloodthirsty readers will remember the rather gruesome children's Nursery rhyme, Who killed Cock Robin?
The amusing claims and counterclaims of some of the minor and very minor representatives of the people in Parliament about having killed the VAT increase reminded me recently of the carryings-on of his feathered friends, either lamenting or bragging about the death of Cock Robin.
A bastardised version (by me and not by AI), of the nursery rhyme, published in 1744, might read as follows:
'Who killed Cock Robin?'
'I,' said Athol, the sparrow, 'I'm very good with my tiny little bow and arrow.'
'Who saw it die?''
'Me, me, me,' said the puffer wearing his Trumpian cap, 'MakeSouthAfricaBlack (Like Me).'
'Who caught his blood?'
Beasley the Dikkop, now renamed Thicknee, beamed. 'I knew immediately it was blood and told my leaders so they could claim the blood.
'Who'll make the shroud?'
The Riser simpered, 'Oh, don't worry about that. I'll zap it in a Zibi can.'
'Who'll do the eulogy?'
The Minah said, musingly, 'I will. Everybody has the right to believe it was this flock of ours that sent the VAT increase to paradise.'
Readers will note that even well-meaning and busy birds can be wrong.

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