Activist Slams Lack Of Solid Commitment To Basic Income Grant

Social grant activist Elizabeth Raiters has accused the government of continually kicking the promise of a basic income grant down the road and not making a solid commitment to the idea.

This follows the tabling of the budget by Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana, in which the Social Relief of Distress Grants were allocated funds to continue but without any increase.

Raiters says the amount should have been increased to adequately support beneficiaries, as the R370 grant has lost significant value due to rising living costs.

Raiters elaborates: I definitely think the government is delaying - the government couldve implemented a basic income support long ago because we do have the money. It has been on the table for years now. But every time there is a budget speech, it always shifts the promise. I think the reason why he mentioned it was because he didnt put the increase on the SRD grant.

Audio file below is the full interview with Elizabeth Raiters