More tax money in the pockets of 177 000 public servants: AfriForum demands disciplinary action 

20 September 2021

The civil rights organisation AfriForum demands that action be taken against public servants who have wrongfully received welfare grants. 

The South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) is currently investigating 177 000 public servants who receive welfare grants. According to Lindiwe Zulu, Minister of Social Development the money will be recovered.

“The minister should not announce that the money will be recovered, it should have already been recovered. AfriForum also demands evidence to see that the money has been collected and we want to know exactly what steps will be taken against these rogue public servants,” said Jacques Broodryk, AfriForum’s campaigns manager.

It is estimated that in July alone, about R200 million was paid in grants to public servants.

Zulu has also indicated that public servants will have to prove that they are entitled to welfare grants in the future.

“The minister’s comments only show how incompetent she and her staff are. One would think that it is standard procedure to prove that you are entitled to taxpayers’ money, before it is simply paid to you. Once again, the ANC government is showing us that it is time for a tax protest,” Broodryk concluded.

Issued by Chanté Kelder, Media Relations Officer, AfriForum, 20 September 2021