6 May 2020 | Volume 79 | Edition 4
Hunger Crisis as Government Struggles with Relief Pay-outs
Lerato Botha
Source: The South African
How the government’s slowed attempt to pay-out funds as part of the relief under lockdown has left struggling communities without the means to sustain themselves.
S
outh Africa has been placed under tremendous strain as a result of the socio-economic damage that the Coronavirus has had on our nation. In addition to many citizens currently being without jobs or the freedom of mobility, the resources that have been put in place to provide citizens with financial relief during this time have also made limited progress.
Similarly, the Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) payments also seem to have become stagnant. Although Minister of Employment and Labour, Mr. Thulas Nxesi, stated that by the end of Wednesday, April 22nd, “the UIF paid out R1.6 billion [of ] the monies set aside for Covid-19”, they are still struggling with the thousands of claims they receive from all over the country. In addition, many business owners have expressed problems with making their claims through the online portal, to which the As much as government has made Minister responds that “The system was never a great effort in keeping the South African [designed] to face such a huge demand… In economy afloat during this trying time, the terms of the system, we are not going to be fact that this virus is new to all of us means able to deliver as we are supposed to”. that despite our best efforts, there is still room for growth when coming up with potential solutions. As citizens, we play a crucial role in “The system was never [designed] to face such combating this virus and our unpredictable a huge demand… In terms of the system, we nature can either benefit or be the downfall of are not going to be able to deliver as we are these strategies. supposed to.” As we have already seen, the allocation of social grants in the form of pension pay-outs and child grants earlier in the lockdown period resulted in complete chaos; long and crowded queues inhibited the ability to practice social distancing. Additionally, misunderstandings with regards to the collection times of each group resulted in funds running out. “ ... by the end of Wednesday, April 22nd, “the UIF paid out R1.6 billion for the monies set aside for Covid-19,”
With the government struggling to release these funds on time, people living on a day-to-day basis have grown restless as they become desperate for money to feed themselves and their families. People have even begun demanding to return to the workplace before the end of the lockdown, which could hinder the goal of limiting the spread of the virus.
“people living on a day-to-day basis have grown restless as they become desperate for money to feed themselves and their families.” Some civilians in the Western Cape have resorted to violence and criminal behaviour in their desperation, with 35 looters ending up in police custody by April 24th. Desperate families have also reached out to multiple Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) for help via email. Organisations such as Operation Hunger, who had previously received around 20 to 30 requests for help are currently receiving five times that amount which has presented a great challenge for these groups who also strive to play their part. The government has recognised this issue which has influenced President Ramaphosa’s pledge of a R50 billion support package to be channelled into healthcare, vital municipal services and social relief – as announced on Tuesday, April 24th. Many hope to see the government learning from their prior mistakes and managing to issue these funds as efficiently as possible in order to save the lives of many vulnerable South Africans.