DA condemns ANC’s vote against increasing social grants for poor

18 May 2016

The ANC’s rejection of the DA’s amendment to increase social grants by R2.2 billion deserves to be condemned in the strongest terms possible. 

They also voted against other pro-poor amendments, such as creating 180,000 EPWP jobs and providing additional funding for poor students. 

The ANC has now been shown up as a party that refuses to walk the talk when helping the most vulnerable in our society is concerned. 

Not surprisingly, the Minister of Social Development, Bathabile Dlamini, has been more busy defending Jacob Zuma, and the latest Public Protector report against her department, than dealing with the impact of rising food inflation on the poorest of South Africans. 

Indeed, the 6.4% increase to social grants announced by the ANC simply doesn’t go far enough, when the latest figures for food price inflation are 11%. The reality is that the poor now have less money to support themselves. 

The best way to lift South Africans out of poverty is through creating jobs. But helping those who are unemployed and who need support from the state must remain a top priority – even during difficult economic times. 

Given the complete disregard shown by the ANC, and its decision to pursue an anti-poor agenda in Parliament, we cannot in good conscience support the Social Development budget this afternoon. The ANC must admit that it erred, and reconsider our amendments as a matter of urgency. 

Issued by Bridget Masango, DA Shadow Minister of Social Development, 18 May 2016