Julius Malema has placed struggling pensioners at the heart of the EFF’s latest election campaign promises.
The EFF leader wants older South Africans to receive substantially higher monthly social grants.
Malema made the proposal while addressing supporters during the party’s campaign activities in the North West and Mpumalanga.
His remarks come as political parties intensify their preparations for South Africa’s upcoming local government elections.
The EFF leader also criticised the current Social Relief of Distress grant.
The SRD grant currently provides R370 to qualifying unemployed South Africans.
Malema argued that the payment no longer provides enough support for people without income.
“We do not want the SRD grant just to be permanent, but we want it to increase, because what can one buy with R370? But it must only be given to people who have no income,” he told party supporters.
The EFF has also proposed financial assistance for graduates struggling to enter the job market.
However, Malema did not reveal the proposed amount for the graduate allowance.
He also provided no clear explanation about eligibility requirements or its implementation.
EFF wants older persons grant raised to R4 500
Malema then turned his attention towards elderly South Africans facing rising household expenses.
He highlighted pensioners who also support grandchildren and other family members.
Currently, the Older Persons Grant provides R2 400 for beneficiaries aged between 60 and 74.
Those aged above 75 receive R2 420 under the current arrangement.
However, Malema wants the payment increased to R4 500.
Such an increase would significantly change the amount received by elderly beneficiaries every month.
The EFF leader also wants pensioners to receive Free Basic Electricity automatically.
Under his proposal, elderly grant recipients would not need separate registration for indigent electricity support.
“SASSA Old-Age pensioners must not have to pay for electricity. Because when they give you social grants, it is because you are struggling. And then they come and steal it back with taxes water and electricity. You cannot be poor when it’s time to receive you SASSA Grants, but rich when it’s time to pay for electricity and water,” said Malema.
Who actually controls SASSA grant increases?
Malema’s proposals have nevertheless raised questions about how the EFF would implement the changes.
More importantly, local government elections do not directly determine national social grant payments.
SASSA operates nationally under the Department of Social Development.
Meanwhile, government determines grant allocations through the national budgeting process.
Therefore, municipal election results cannot directly increase or reduce SASSA grant amounts.
The November election will instead determine leadership within South Africa’s municipalities.
Consequently, voters should distinguish between local government responsibilities and national government functions.
Any major change to SASSA payments would require decisions at national level.
The same applies to the SRD grant and any proposed graduate allowance.
For now, Malema’s R4 500 pension promise remains an EFF campaign commitment.
The party would still need to explain how it would finance and implement the proposal.
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