THE Institute for Economic Justice (IEJ) and #PayTheGrants (#PTG) believe that recipients of social relief grant, commonly known as R350, are still struggling.
The IEJ and #PTG have launched a legal battle over the SRD grant, which they believe is a form betrayal by the government.
The battle, which began in July 2023 as a quest for justice, has escalated into a legal showdown with the Department of Social Development (DSD), the South African Social Security Agency (Sassa) and even the National Treasury.
A recent affidavit filed by the IEJ and the #PTG in the High Court in Pretoria emphasises that there are barriers in the SRD grants that have resulted in vulnerable people being excluded from accessing the grants.
These include the online-only application process, inaccurate methods of verifying eligibility and a flawed appeals process.
According to the executive director of the IEJ, Dr Gilad Isaacs, these barriers have "unjustly prevented many eligible people from accessing the grants".
He argued that the government's inaction has put many applicants and beneficiaries in dire circumstances.
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Affidavits from #PTG members affected by these barriers have also backed up these claims.
Amogelang Monene from Hammanskraal in Tshwane described how her grant, which she had been receiving since 2022, was rejected in 2023 after it was discovered that she had additional income.
She claimed this was incorrect and felt cheated by the system.
"The grant was my lifeline to buy food and other household items," Amogelang said.
Another grant beneficiary, Muhle Sikhakhane from Bronkhorspruit, is unemployed and has three kids, only two of whom receive grants, which she uses for food and upkeep.
She applied for an SRD grant for her welfare but believes it's not enough.
"I always have a shortfall for some of my children’s expenses including creche for the youngest one," she said.
Valdene Matthews from Eldorado Park, south of Joburg, said her grant money was cancelled after the system found she was receiving income that was considered to be a learnership.
"I have no income and I'm struggling to make ends meet. The SRD grant is my lifeline," she said.
However, Sassa argued that the online application method had proved its worth and cannot be faulted in any other way.
The matter still continues in court.
