Kaya News Reporter
Cash-strapped ANC may have to pull public service jobs and public relief in the form of the basic income grant is on the line. The ruling party has for months been struggling to pay staff salaries for 3-months.
In August, ANC staff members downed tools over a range of grievances including ongoing challenges around late salary payments.
Now the party has been told that the state cannot afford the basic income grant due to the party’s cash crisis issue.
The ANC was told at its lekgotla by Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana this week that there is no more money.
Godongwana said all options also need to be considered concerning the availability and their financial and revenue implications before a final decision can be made.
In terms of achieving sustainable relief for vulnerable households, the baseline budget for a social assistance grant is R205 billion from 2022 to 2023.
@MYANC President @CyrilRamaphosa on the 2021 upcoming local government elections. #ANCLGE2021 pic.twitter.com/y90ZXzNHkN
— African National Congress (@MYANC) September 10, 2021
According to reports the party is lacking R19.6 billion to account for outstanding salary increases and analysts predict that taxpayers will bear the brunt.
Political analyst Xolani Dube says the ANC is incapable of governing a country if it cannot govern itself.
This after the party is said to be weighing out the option for a basic income grant to give the country’s most vulnerable some relief.
The current social relief grant of R350 a month reaches 10 million recipients but it is scheduled to end on 31 March 2022.
Meanwhile, ANC spokesperson Pule Mabe says the party’s treasurer-general will consider crowdfunding to raise money for outstanding salary payments.
