Government states it cannot afford to expand Sassa SRD grant, court told

This statement was made during an appeal before the Supreme Court of Appeal against a Gauteng High Court judgment from January 2025. The High Court had ruled that certain Sassa regulations unconstitutionally limit access to the R370 SRD grant, specifically concerning online applications and the broad definition of "income." Advocate Gilbert Marcus, representing the finance minister, contended that the IEJ's suggestion of increasing taxes or borrowing more money is based on a "misconception" of socio-economic rights and the separation of powers.

Marcus emphasized the complexities of balancing competing demands on state resources and argued that the High Court overstepped its bounds by intervening in the national budgeting process. He highlighted the Treasury's efforts to address poverty, noting that between 55% and 61% of the national budget is allocated to the social wage, which includes social security, education, health, and housing. Marcus also stated that any further expenditure on the SRD grant would necessitate cuts in other areas, and that the grant, initially a temporary measure under the Disaster Management Act, is legislatively distinct from other social grants.

The minister of Social Development and Sassa defended the