Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Social Development, Bridget Masango, said that there needs to be urgent reform to make the Central Drug Authority (CDA) an independent advisory body, and that they are concerned by reported cases of non-payment of social grants to beneficiaries while the verification process is underway.
Portfolio Committee on Social Development chairperson Bridget Masango said urgent reform was needed to make the Central Drug Authority (CDA) an independent advisory body.
Addressing the media on Monday, she added that the committee was concerned by reports of social grant payments being withheld from beneficiaries during the verification process.
Masango discussed poor institutional support for the Central Drug Authority, capacity issues at the National Development Agency, and the National Treasury’s directive to verify social grant beneficiaries.
“South Africa faces significant challenges in terms of the illegal drug market, with cannabis, tik (meth), heroin and cocaine being the most prominent in this country, and alcohol consumption also remains high in South Africa, with binge drinking contributing to significant social issues.”
