Grant case in court

SRD: BID TO ENSURE STATE'S HANDLING ALIGNS WITH CONSTITUTION

- Thando Nondywana

The High Court in Pretoria is set to hear a critical case on whether government's handling of the Social Relief of Distress (SRD) grant aligns with constitutional mandates on social assistance.

The Institute for Economic Justice (IEJ) and advocacy group #PayTheGrants are contesting the eligibility requirements and stagnant value of the SRD grant, which they argue exclude millions from accessing necessary financial assistance.

A two-day hearing this week will hear arguments that some of the current framework regulations and procedures violate the constitutional right to social welfare for vulnerable people.

Neil Coleman, senior policy specialist at the IEJ, said: "We gathered information and made submissions to the government, highlighting problematic regulations we consider unlawful and unconstitutional.

"Our focus has always extended beyond Covid relief and social assistance, addressing broader issues of poverty, hunger and unemployment.