By Mark Richard Gaffley, The Conversation
South Africa introduced a digital social assistance programme in 2020 to identify who was eligible for its Social Relief of Distress grant. The country’s High Court later found that the automated vetting system it relied on was unconstitutional and invalid.
The case was brought by the Institute for Economic Justice, a South African think tank, and #PayTheGrants, a civil society movement that advocates for economic justice. The government appealed the decision and the case will be heard by the Supreme Court of Appeal. Legal scholar Mark Gaffley explains the significance of the ruling.
How does the system work and why’s there a court case about it?
The South African Social Security Agency launched the Social Relief of Distress grant in May 2020. It was intended to provide temporary relief for the most destitute – that is almost one-third of South Africans.
To qualify for the R370-a-month grant (almost 50% less
You’ve reached your free article limit
Subscribe to enjoy unlimited access to trusted journalism. Cancel anytime.
Subscribe nowNeed help? molokom@insidepolitic.co.za
