MBABANE- Members of Parliament have renewed calls for an increase in the elderly grant, with some questioning progress in formulating regulations to guide the proposed adjustment.
The submissions were made during the House of Assembly’s debate of the second quarter performance report for the Deputy Prime Minister’s (DPM) Office.
Speaker Jabulani Mabuza asked DPM Thulisile Dladla about the progress made in developing regulations that would guide the increase of the elderly grant. Mabuza said elderly citizens were increasingly expressing the desire to receive E1 500 monthly, citing the rising cost of living and the financial challenges they faced.
“Elderly people are asking questions and stating that they wish their grant could be increased to E1 500,” he said.
The Speaker’s submission comes amid sustained calls by MPs for government to review the amount received by senior citizens, with several legislators previously arguing that the current grant was inadequate to meet their basic needs.
In March this year, during the debate on the 2026/2027 National Budget, MPs called on the Minister for Finance Neal Rijkenberg to consider increasing the elderly grant, with some legislators suggesting that funds be reallocated from other government programmes.
In March this year, Phondo MP Bonginkosi Dube said elderly people in his constituency were struggling daily, while Mtfongwaneni MP Nathi Hlophe said he had hoped the grants for elderly citizens and persons with disabilities would be reviewed following the implementation of the civil service salary review. Nkilongo MP Petros Sibandze further proposed that the budget should not be passed until the elderly grant had been increased.
The grant currently stands at E600 monthly for qualifying citizens aged 60 and above. Government increased it by 20 per cent in a previous adjustment, raising the amount by E100.
The issue of elderly grants has also been raised in previous parliamentary engagements, with legislators highlighting the burden placed on senior citizens who support unemployed family members and grandchildren.
In April this year, Members of Parliament highlighted concerns about elderly citizens facing food insecurity, property loss and inadequate social protection.
During the same debate, Zombodze Emuva MP Ntando Mkhonta raised concerns about the possible impact of the El Niño weather phenomenon on the livelihoods of emaSwati, particularly farmers.
Mkhonta asked the DPM whether government would consider making relief funds available to assist destitute citizens who could be affected by the anticipated weather conditions.
He cited government’s response during the COVID-19 pandemic, when E700 was made available as relief assistance, and questioned whether a similar intervention could be considered to cushion vulnerable households against the anticipated effects of El Niño.
Mkhonta said farmers and other vulnerable citizens could face significant challenges if the weather conditions affected agricultural production and livelihoods.
He asked whether government could consider providing financial assistance to those who might struggle to sustain themselves during the anticipated period.
In response, the DPM said the policy on social assistance had been completed, adding that the next steps were to develop the law and regulations.
She said her office had submitted the budget proposal but had not received approval. Dladla further urged MPs to support the budget when it was presented to Parliament.
