The government needs to increase the tax on the country’s top ten spenders in order to accumulate the funds needed to extend and increase the covid-19 distress and caregiver grant. This is the assertion by a representative of the C19 People’s Coalition Shaheera Kalla.

Amid the announcement of the Economic Recovery Plan, the coalition among other civil movements is demanding that the grants be increased to R518, the grants are extended until the end of the financial year, and that communication on the distribution of the grants is improved.

An estimated R40 billion would be needed to increase and extend the grants. However, Treasury says there are no funds available to allow for this. President Cyril Ramaphosa requested this meeting to flesh out his Economic Stimulus Plan. Can helping the poor go hand in hand with saving the economy? We’re joined by a representative of the C19 People’s Coalition, Shaeera Kalla…

The Institute for Economic Justice says that this can be done at a cost of R 37.3 billion. This figure includes increasing the caregivers’ grant to R585 per month. They contend that this will save 6.8 million people from hunger.

The IEJ and other civil society organisations, including the C19 People’s Coalition released this report ahead of the joint sitting of the National Assembly and the National Council of Provinces this Thursday.

[Picture: Daily Maverick]