Landmarks Victory For SASSA SRD R370 Grant Recipients

[UPDATE]: Pretoria High Court Ruling on R370 Grant a Massive Win

In a landmark decision that has been celebrated as a victory for social justice, the Pretoria High Court has ruled that the regulations governing the R370 Social Relief of Distress (SRD) Grant are unconstitutional and invalid. The judgment, delivered by Judge Leonard Twala, follows a legal challenge launched in October 2024 by #PayTheGrants and the Institute of Economic Justice (IEJ) against the government’s exclusionary and unfair regulations.

The Court’s Ruling

The ruling marks a significant step towards ensuring greater access and fairness in the administration of the SRD Grant. Judge Twala ordered the government to take the following actions:

Allow In-Person Applications: The court emphasized that the current system disproportionately disadvantages those without access to technology.
Align the Grant with Inflation and Cost-of-Living: To reflect the true financial needs of beneficiaries, the value of the grant must be increased.
Raise the Monthly Income Threshold: This will enable more individuals to qualify for the much-needed support.
Redefine “Income”: Only regular payments from formal or informal employment, business activities, or investments should be considered income. Once-off payments or gifts are to be excluded from income calculations.

The Road Ahead

In a further directive, Judge Twala mandated the Minister of Social Development, in consultation with the Minister of Finance, to devise and implement a plan to redress the retrogression in the SRD grant’s value and income threshold. This plan must progressively increase the grant’s value and be submitted to the court within four months.

A Win for Vulnerable Communities

This ruling is a powerful reminder of the role courts play in holding governments accountable to the principles of fairness and equality. The decision to align the grant with the realities of inflation and cost-of-living is a significant step in addressing the financial struggles faced by millions of South Africans.