MBABANE – While salaries for civil servants were delayed during the festive season, it has emerged that government intended to pay all beneficiaries simultaneously.
Unusually, social grants were disbursed a day before Christmas. It has been established that government released over E54 million in grants to elderly citizens, with 90 000 senior citizens receiving their payments on December 24. Each pensioner received E600.
This is considered unusual, as government typically prioritises the payment of civil servants before disbursing social grants. However, this time, payments across all categories were reportedly made concurrently.
Deputy Prime Minister Thulisile Dladla expressed appreciation to the Treasury Department under the Ministry of Finance for expediting the payment process.
She said MTN received the list from the Treasury Department on time.
The deputy prime minister confirmed that there were approximately 90 000 beneficiaries in the payment system.
She added that she hoped the ‘baby mamas’ would receive their payments next week, likely before the New Year.
The ‘baby mamas’ have issued garnishee orders against the fathers of their children. The deducted funds are deposited into a government account managed by the Treasury Department.
Since an elderly citizen receives E600 per month, it means government spends E7 200 per year on an individual.
Based on current figures, government spends approximately E648 million annually on social grants for citizens aged 60 and above.
The deputy prime minister further stated that persons with disabilities had also received their grants.
“I have to thank the Treasury and MTN for speeding up the process,” she said.
Persons with disabilities are entitled to E450 per month.
Enock Dlamini (65) from Motshane expressed satisfaction at receiving his grant before Christmas, noting that in previous years, he would receive it after Christmas or New Year.
“I was able to buy some foodstuffs to celebrate Christmas,” he said.
He suggested that government consider introducing bonuses for elderly citizens in the future.
“An additional E300 would be appreciated,” he said.
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Does Eswatini pay better than SADC?
MBABANE – Let us look at what is happening in neighbouring countries in terms of national social grants.
South Africa
It has been learnt that South Africa has one of the most comprehensive social grant systems in Africa, administered by the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA). The country created an old-age grant (OAG) whereby citizens aged 60 and above receive E2 315 per month. South Africa’s gross domestic product (GDP), according to the International Monetary Fund, is E7.1 trillion (E7 100 568 000 000). It has a child support grant (CSG) where primary caregivers of children under 18 years receive E530 per child per month. Research has shown that this grant is not limited to married women as any qualifying caregiver (including single mothers, fathers or guardians) can receive it. They also have a disability grant. Persons aged 18-59 years receive E2 180. Other grants include the foster child grant at E1 180 per month per child and care dependency grant fixed at E2 180 per month for children with severe disabilities.
Lesotho
Lesotho operates a non-contributory old age pension scheme whereby citizens aged 70 years and above receive E950 (M950) per month as a social grant (old age pension). This is a universal coverage for all Basotho aged 70 and above, regardless of income. Lesotho’s GDP is estimated at E38.7 billion. It has been established that Lesotho does not have a national child grant system and disability support is limited to small-scale community and NGO programmes.
Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe’s social protection system is limited and largely donor supported. The older persons grant caters for citizens aged 65 and above. They receive $25-30 per month, the equivalent of E450-E540 per month, depending on government budget allocations and donor support. Zimbabwe’s GDP hovers around E792 billion and E954 billion. There are complaints that payments are irregular and often delayed. The Child Protection Fund reportedly provides limited cash transfers to vulnerable children (funded mainly by UNICEF and the World Bank). Disability support is provided through the Department of Social Welfare, but coverage is said to be minimal.
Botswana
Botswana has a social assistance system. It has been learnt that citizens aged 65 years and above receive E670 per month. In Botswana, pensioners have a choice to access their allowance as cash from service providers in all pay points or a monthly bank transfer to beneficiaries’ bank accounts. The GDP in Botswana is estimated at E378 billion. It is said that the disability grant covers baskets, clothing and education support for orphans and there is no direct monthly cash grant for children. In Botswana, ex-service men and spouses of a deceased veteran who were involved in World Wars I and II are entitled to an allowance in recognition of their contributions. The applicant must complete and submit a life declaration form every six months. The allowance is BWP600, the equivalent of E759.26.
*Full article available in our publication
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