Honourable Chairperson, I wish to speak out on an issue of urgent importance to citizens across the Western Cape and South Africa at large. The R350 Social Relief of Distress Grant is a lifeline for many South Africans who have been left without a means of supporting themselves as a result of the economic destruction brought on by the national government’s policies over the last two years. R350 is not a lot of money Honourable Chairperson, but it is all that many people have.

And yet, SASSA has proven itself unable to provide even this pittance to the most vulnerable members of our society. We have heard reports of people who are still yet to receive their money for the month of April, and SASSA seems to be no closer to resolving the situation. The agency has indicated that the delays are a result of the changing legislative framework, due to the end of the state of disaster. To this we ask why this problem was not foreseen? How can SASSA leave 10 million people high and dry across the country, with many of them in this Province?

I have invited SASSA to appear before the Standing Committee on Social Development as soon as possible, and my promise to this house today is that we will do all that we can to hold them to account for the good of the most vulnerable citizens of this province.

Thank you.