Julius Malema pledges to increase SASSA grants to R4,500

Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader Julius Malema has pledged to increase the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) old-age grant to a minimum of R4,500 per month if his party wins the upcoming local government elections.

Speaking at provincial manifesto launches in Mpumalanga and the North West, Malema framed social grants as a right earned through previous tax contributions rather than charity. He argued that increasing the pension would benefit the broader community, as many pensioners serve as the primary financial providers for black families and children.

Malema also addressed other social welfare issues, criticizing the current R370 Social Relief of Distress (SRD) grant as insufficient. He proposed the introduction of a specific grant for unemployed graduates and asserted that the government has the necessary funds to implement these increases if public resources are managed without misappropriation.