Civil society groups slam Treasury’s suggestion that VAT needs to rise or spending on crucial services must be cut to fund an extension of the SRD grant.
Universal Basic Income Coalition activists say that millions of poor people are still not receiving their Social Relief of Distress grants. The activists say their submissions and recommendations to the government have fallen on deaf ears.
As Eastern Cape communities are hit by spiralling food inflation and unemployment rates of 42.4%, the province’s elderly residents are using their state pensions to look after families in crisis and often have to rely on loans in the last weeks of the month.