EFF leader Julius Malema has placed social grants and youth unemployment at the centre of the party’s campaign ahead of the 4 November local government elections.
Speaking at the EFF’s provincial manifesto launch in eMalahleni, Mpumalanga, Malema proposed that social grants should start at no less than R4,500.
He told supporters that an EFF government would protect existing SASSA payments and increase the financial support available to beneficiaries.
Malema wants higher grant payments
Malema argued that pensioners often use their grants to support entire households, including grandchildren and other relatives.
He said this role justified increasing the amount of money provided to older South Africans.
According to Malema, the country has enough resources to provide greater assistance to people relying on grants. He alleged that money that could be used to support struggling households was instead being misappropriated.
The EFF has previously campaigned for increased social assistance, particularly for South Africans who cannot find employment.
Youth income support proposed
Malema also turned his attention to young people leaving schools and universities without jobs.
He argued that unemployed young South Africans should either be given access to employment or receive an allowance while they search for work.
The proposal comes as political parties step up campaigning ahead of November’s municipal elections.
No detailed funding model for the proposed R4,500 minimum grant or youth allowance was outlined in the information provided.
Phala Phala returns to campaign debate
During his address, Malema also criticised President Cyril Ramaphosa over the Phala Phala matter.
The controversy relates to about $580,000 stolen from Ramaphosa’s Limpopo game farm in 2020. Ramaphosa has maintained that the money came from a game sale and has denied wrongdoing.
The matter is currently receiving fresh attention in the Western Cape High Court, where Ramaphosa is seeking to have a Section 89 independent panel report set aside.
That panel found that the president had a case to answer on four proposed impeachment charges arising from the incident.
Malema has repeatedly used the controversy to criticise Ramaphosa and the ANC as the EFF campaigns for voter support.