Question NW1428 to the Minister of Social Development
16 May 2022 - NW1428
Opperman, Ms G to ask the Minister of Social Development
Whether the abuse and misuse of the child support grant renders the mother unfit to have the child under her care; if not, why not; if so, on what legislative provisions does her department rely in this regard?
Reply:
The management of social grants, including the child support grant is done in terms of the Social Assistance Act, 2004. Section 19 of the Social Assistance Act empowers SASSA to appoint a person to investigate suspected abuse of a social grant. If the abuse is confirmed on objective grounds, SASSA may suspend payment of that grant, or appoint another person to receive the grant in respect of the beneficiary or child.
The determination as to the fitness of the care giver to care for the child is being dealt with in terms of section 150 of the Children’s Act, Act 38 of 2005. The investigation needs to be conducted by a social worker which will assist to compile a report that will guide the court to make a decision in terms of the caregiver’s fitness to care for the child.