Govt Cuts COVID-19 Social Support Grant To Vulnerable People

The government has revealed that it is cutting the COVID-19 social support grant that was being given to vulnerable households to help them through the COVID-19 pandemic, The NewsHawks reports.

The matter came to  light when Social Welfare Minister Paul Mavima was presenting his food-deficit mitigation programme and Covid-19 relief grants report to the parliament yesterday (Monday) when he said he was not given any funds to continue with the programme in 2021:

We have not received funds for this programme in 2021. However, cash transfers for the 23 child protection supported districts continue. Allowances for cash transfers have been raised from $300 to $1 500 per month per household per five people.

Prior to the program’s abrupt end or suspension, the government had reviewed the payout from ZW$300 to ZW$1 500 per household of five people. There were arguments from concerned parties that $1500 is close to nothing against the $21 000 needed by a family of 5 per month to survive according to the Consumer Council Of Zimbabwe.

More: NewsHawks