Black Sash comment on the amendments to the regulations relating to the COVID-19 Social Relief of Distress (SRD) Grant issued in terms of Section 32, read with Section 13 of the Social Assistance Act 2004 as amended issued by the Department of Social Development (DSD). Our submissions are informed by our ongoing work with the DSD and the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) to ensure the constitutional right to social security and social protection, with emphasis on social assistance through advocacy, community-based monitoring, research, education, and training.
Currently more than 18 million people or a third of the South African population receive permanent social grants and a further 10 million people who received the SRD grant. Black Sash works to ensure the right to social assistance is delivered in an unhindered manner to all those who qualify in South Africa. It is incumbent on the government to ensure an effective and efficient social grant system which is transparent at no cost to beneficiaries.
