Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Lerato Mutsila
Published on 2024-02-22 18:36:03
South Africa’s social grant system provides essential support to over 11 million vulnerable individuals who rely on social protection to meet their basic needs. However, the system has been plagued by various issues, as highlighted in a recent report by Daily Maverick. One such case is that of Isa da Gama, a mother of five from Eldorado Park, Gauteng.
Da Gama’s Child Support Grant was suspended earlier this year along with 150,000 others due to alleged banking errors by Sassa. Despite providing proof of Fica compliance and rectifying the issues, Da Gama faced numerous obstacles in getting her grant reinstated. She was even asked to produce her children’s school report cards at one point. This suspension led her to apply for the Social Relief of Distress (SRD) grant, which was approved but never paid out to her. Eventually, after almost two months of back and forth, Da Gama’s Child Support Grant was reinstated.
The challenges faced by beneficiaries extend beyond just Da Gama. Maureen Robbie, an 83-year-old resident, discovered that a Transnet policy deduction was eating into her old age grant without her consent. Despite multiple attempts to rectify the situation, Robbie has been unsuccessful in recovering the deducted funds. This has left her struggling to make ends meet with her limited income, especially after suffering a stroke that requires ongoing physiotherapy.
In Bloemfontein, 27-year-old Motshidisi Makintane has been trying to access the SRD grant since its inception in 2020. However, her efforts have been futile as she has yet to receive any payment. Even after being approved for the grant, Makintane faced rejection on her latest application due to Sassa claiming she had another source of income – the child grant for her son. This misconception has left Makintane frustrated as she believes the SRD grant should be accessible to single parents like herself who rely on it for their child’s needs.
The struggles faced by Da Gama, Robbie, and Makintane highlight the ongoing issues within South Africa’s social grant system. Despite these challenges, when contacted for comment by Daily Maverick, Sassa had not responded by the time of publication.
In conclusion, the social grant system in South Africa plays a crucial role in supporting vulnerable individuals, but evident problems persist. The stories of Da Gama, Robbie, and Makintane shed light on the difficulties faced by beneficiaries in accessing and maintaining their grants. Addressing these issues is essential to ensure that those in need receive the assistance they rely on to survive.
Read the original article on Daily Maverick
