The South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) has confirmed the continuation of the Covid-19 Social Relief of Distress Grant (SRD) payment this month, ensuring support for millions of vulnerable citizens even as the Department of Social Development (DSD) plans to appeal a recent high court ruling. This decision, which was announced by the DSD, aims to maintain uninterrupted service delivery during the court's legal processes related to the grant.
Last month's ruling by Judge Leonard Twala of the North Gauteng High Court declared several provisions of the regulations governing the SRD grant unconstitutional. It sought to address significant issues surrounding accessibility and fairness, particularly the exclusion of many eligible grant applicants. While SASSA reported over 17 million applications for the SRD grant, only about 8.5 million were approved, leading to questions about program equity.
"SASSA will continue to administer the SRD [grant] as per existing guidelines to ensuring uninterrupted service delivery,” the DSD stated, showing commitment to serving vulnerable South Africans with integrity. This reassurance is especially relevant as cases of delayed payments and bureaucratic obstacles continue to emerge.
The backdrop to this legal battle centers around the regulations introduced by the DSD on 29 May 2023, which the court ruled caused irrational and arbitrary exclusions of those legally entitled to assistance. The government's argument, asserting the SRD grant's status as merely temporary and introduced under the Disaster Management Act for COVID-19 relief, was firmly rebuffed. Judge Twala acknowledged the dire state of unemployment, around 30%, and indicated the necessity of the SRD as a structural social safety net.
The court highlighted the importance of the grant operating under the Social Assistance Act, elevatively equipping it with the same legitimacy as other social grants, fundamentally reinforcing the societal need for this financial support.
Critically, the ruling called for amendments to regulations requiring online-only applications, which was found to unjustly exclude individuals without electronic access—an understandably significant roadblock for many poor citizens. Judge Twala's judgement mandates the system's amendment to facilitate applications via SASSA office visits.
The department's plan to appeal the judgment was formally stated by Lumka Oliphant, acting Deputy Director General of the DSD, who noted, "After careful consideration and having sought legal counsel, the department has decided to pursue an appeal against the orders issued.” This emphasizes the complexity surrounding current social grant administration even amid overwhelming advocacy for more open access policies.
Alongside the legal developments on the SRD grant front, February marks the confirmation of payment dates for various social grants. Grant recipients—often awaiting their funds—are assured timely payments according to official schedules. For this month, specific dates are assigned to Older Persons, Disability, and Child grants to facilitate orderly disbursements.
Complications surrounding SASSA Gold Cards, which are instrumental for beneficiaries accessing their funds, contributed to public anxiety but were resolved with Postbank confirming validity through 2025. Earlier claims suggested they would expire at the end of this year, but the confirmation has eased concerns over payment retrieval.
Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana's budget speech earlier this year indicated upcoming increments to multiple grants including the SRD grant, which will rise by R20 or 5.7% come April. These increases intend to keep pace with inflation and are integral as about 26 million South Africans receive social grants, costing the government R266 billion annually.
ActionSA has welcomed the high court's recent decisions pertaining to SRD grants and called for the establishment of clear and comprehensive social assistance policies. Dereleen James of ActionSA emphasized the necessity for decisive government actions, noting the stark reality facing citizens as uncertainty looms around grants and overall aid frameworks.
With the current SRD grant regulations set to expire by March 2025, the demand for cohesive policy leadership is underscored. Stakeholders await tangible commitments from President Cyril Ramaphosa and the government to address these systemic issues.
South Africa's reliance on social grants as part of its social safety net raises serious questions about the efficacy and fairness of its delivery system. Indeed, the court's scrutiny of these regulations reflects broader economic struggles, pushing the conversation toward what constitutes adequate support for vulnerable populations. This dialogue will certainly continue as more updates about grants emerge.