Activists call on Minister Zulu to reject the R370 SASSA SRD grant
Activist groups have called on Minister Zulu to reject the R370 SASSA SRD grant increase as they call for a R90 increase to the grant.
The organisation opposing the adoption of the R370 SASSA SRD grant is the Universal Basic Income Coalition (UBIC). And it is calling on the Minister of Social Development Lindiwe Zulu to ‘reject’ it outright. It calls the R20 Social Relief of Distress (SRD) grant increase ‘insulting’, reports Business Tech.
Moreover, the UBIC says if the African National Congress (ANC) and National Treasury really cares about ‘pro-poor policies’ it should increase the grant by R90. R440 per month to the 8.5 million SRD beneficiaries will account for inflation and the rising cost of living in South Africa. The SASSA SRD grant has never been increased since it was first introduced during the COVID-19 pandemic in May 2020.
R370 SASSA SRD GRANT
Announced at Wednesday 13 March’s National Assembly, the South African Social Security Agency, through Minister Zulu of the Department of Social Development (DSD), must still publish a ‘comprehensive social security programme’ for public comment. In it, the expectation is that President Cyril Ramaphosa’s promise of a basic income grant of the future will finally come to light.
However, UBIC spokesperson Bukelwa Hans told Newzroom Afrika that the new SASSA SRD grant must be rejected by the minister. “The increase is a meagre improvement and an insulting pittance given the cost of living and increases in inflation since 2020. To only increase this by R20 is an insult, and we cannot accept it,” said Hans.
CANNOT AFFORD THE INCREASE
Furthermore, economist predict that the R370 SASSA SRD grant will cost roughly R2.2-billion extra in the current financial year. Which goes against the planned budget reduction in social spending from R36 billion to R33.6 billion. However, Hans says the ANC can afford the R370 SASSA SRD grant … and more.
Here’s a reminder that the first R370 SASSA SRD grant will only be paid at the end of April 2024 and not in time for the Easter weekend. The next March SASSA SRD disbursement will be R350 and it will be paid from Monday 25 March 2024 to Friday 29 March 2024 (Good Friday).
Do not forget to check your SASSA SRD status HERE.