Bathabile Dlamini’s grant dodge
More than 17m South Africans are anxious about the April deadline for a new grant distribution system. But the minister seems more concerned about ANC politics than allaying these fears
Apparently undaunted by the dark clouds gathering over SA’s social welfare system, social development minister Bathabile Dlamini bailed out of this week’s scheduled portfolio committee meeting in parliament. Dlamini’s decision comes despite the fact that even ANC members of the portfolio committee are beginning to take seriously the fact that the contract given to incumbent grant distribution agent Net1 expires on April1. Though government has spoken boldly about how it plans to take over the payment of more than R130bn/year to 17m South Africans, there is no plan in place for this to actually happen. With tensions rising, Dlamini was meant to brief parliament on the progress made in transferring the payment system to the SA Social Security Agency (Sassa) this week. However, an SMS was sent to committee members on Sunday evening informing them that Wednesday’s meeting “has now been postponed to a later date”. No later date was suggested. The minister, committee chair Rosemary Capa a...
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Subscribe now to unlock this article.
Support BusinessLIVE’s award-winning journalism for R129 per month (digital access only).
There’s never been a more important time to support independent journalism in SA. Our subscription packages now offer an ad-free experience for readers.
Cancel anytime.
Questions? Email helpdesk@businesslive.co.za or call 0860 52 52 00. Got a subscription voucher? Redeem it now.