“More than a quarter of the population are living below the food poverty line of R663 a month. This limits the ability of adults to engage in the economy meaningfully, and limits the development of children, compromising the future economy. Both the child support grant and the social relief of distress grant are substantially below the food poverty line.”
Amid threats of greylisting, the coalition called on the finance ministry and National Treasury to speed up tabling important legislation such as the Public Procurement Bill in 2023. “The time has come to deliver on the promise to address endemic corruption which serves to only steal much-needed funds from the public purse.
“The 2023 budget is much anticipated as the country is eager to get relief from the rising cost of living, unemployment, persistent energy crisis, lack of service delivery and crime and corruption that continues to steal from the nation. We hope the government rises to the occasion, and tables a budget that is people-centred and reflective of human rights.”
Civic organisations who are part of the Budget Justice Coalition include the Alternative Information and Development Centre), the Children’s Institute at UCT, Corruption Watch, Equal Education, Equal Education Law Centre, the Institute for Economic Justice, Oxfam South Africa, Pietermaritzburg Economic Justice and Dignity Group, the Public Service Accountability Monitor, the Rural Health Advocacy Project, Section27, Ilifa Labantwana, Treatment Action Campaign, Centre for Child Law, 350.
Same talking year after year no action.