DSD must cut corruption and increase child social grants
4 July 2023
Millions of children from disadvantaged backgrounds suffer because their parents or guardians cannot afford to provide them with balanced diets and basic essential needs due to the high cost of living, yet the National Department of Social Development (DSD) is failing to increase child social grants.
Corruption within the government is hindering the department from allocating additional funds to child support grants.
Corruption is the biggest threat to people in Gauteng. There have been allegations of national DSD employees creating ghost beneficiaries and withdrawing money for themselves.
Child support grants play an important role in safeguarding the well-being of vulnerable children and families.
To ensure that these grants reach their intended beneficiaries and have a meaningful impact, it is imperative to tackle corruption within government.
Corruption undermines the purpose of grants and perpetuates the cycle of poverty and vulnerability.
Come 2024; a DA government will implement strict monitoring systems, conduct regular audits, and protect whistle-blowers. These are key steps in preventing corruption and ensuring that monies reach the intended recipients, particularly orphans and vulnerable children.
The savings realised from reduced corruption should be reinvested into increasing the amount given to grant recipients. While the ANC government currently gives R480 in child support grants, the DA government intends to issue R624. This will also allow the expansion of the eligibility criteria to cover more children in need.
We believe that the child support grant should be extended to learners above 18 years old until they complete matric. This should also include pregnant mothers so their unborn babies can be afforded the right to get nutrition for the best start in life.
As the DA, we have always advocated for a transparent and corruption-free government. Therefore, we will continue to focus on fighting corruption because every child deserves a fair chance to thrive, regardless of their socio-economic circumstances.
Issued by Refiloe Nt’sekhe, DA Gauteng Shadow MEC for Social Development, 4 July 2023
