12.9% rise in food poverty line needs to see Dlamini answer to Parliament 

21 July 2016

Statistics South Africa (StatsSA) has revealed that the food poverty line (FPL) rose by 12.9% from last year, more than double the official rate of inflation, and also more than double the budgeted increase in grants.

In light of these latest revelations, the DA calls on StatsSA to present this report before the Portfolio Committee on Social Development, as well as summon Minister of Social Development, Bathabile Dlamini, to answer for the lack of action her department has taken to ensure that social grants increases are suitable to assist those in poverty.

We cannot sit back and allow the Department of Social Development, whose responsibility it is to help poor South Africans, to say that R753 is enough. This will only exacerbate the situation and hurt the most vulnerable in our society.

The DA had introduced an amendment to the budget in Parliament earlier this year to increase the budget given for social grants by more than R2 billion. This would allow for an above inflation increase. The ANC voted this down because they simply don’t care about anyone other than Jacob Zuma.

It is equally telling that, in terms of this very same report, the upper-bound poverty line has increased since last year. This is clear reflection on the state of our economy, and the lack of jobs and opportunities. With more than 8.9 million jobless South Africans, and the economy on the brink of a recession, our government has failed poor South Africans. 

Indeed, Jacob Zuma and his ANC are more interested in defending Nkandla and preventing him from answering in court, than growing the economy and creating jobs.  The ANC governs like black lives don’t matter and it now needs to stop.

On 03 August South Africans will have the opportunity to vote for a DA government that will change this anti-poor status quo. This will be a DA government that is in touch with the reality of ordinary South Africans; creates jobs, stops corruption and delivers better services for all. This is the change South Africa needs to fight poverty.  

Issued by Bridget Masango, DA Shadow Minister of Social Development, 21 July 2016