Social Development Minister Dina Pule during the oversight visit at South African Social Security Agency offices in Khayelitsha.
Social Development Minister Dina Pule was tightlipped on Thursday regarding the court order on the increase of the R370 Social Relief of Distress grant despite Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana reportedly saying it would be unaffordable.
Speaking to journalists during an oversight visit at South African Social Security Agency (Sassa) offices in Bellville, Pule said she cannot speak for Godongwana.
“But, normally, you will know that it is very difficult to get a budget expanded every day. There is so much need,” she said.
“I mean, in all the offices that I have gone to, whether it is Johannesburg, Tshwane in Pretoria and here, the numbers of people who are first-time applicants is huge, and therefore, the government is trying by all means to stretch itself to make sure that everyone who deserves to get a grant must get it,” she said.
