Malema Says Corruption Must Be Stopped to Increase Social Grants

EFF leader Julius Malema has called for an increase in social grants, saying the government should do more to support poor and vulnerable South Africans.

Speaking at an EFF rally in KwaZulu-Natal on Saturday, Malema said the state should increase social grants and provide pensioners with R4 500.

Malema argued that the government could afford to increase the amount if it stopped corruption, wasteful spending and what he described as unnecessary government expenditure.

He said money could be made available for pensioners if the state dealt more seriously with corruption and stopped spending public funds on areas that he believes do not benefit ordinary South Africans.

Malema said the government should prioritise people who depend on social grants, particularly older people who are responsible for supporting families.

The EFF leader also criticised the size of the government cabinet. He argued that the number of ministers and deputy ministers should be reduced so that more money could be directed towards social support.

According to Malema, deputy ministers are costing the country large amounts of money without providing enough value to ordinary citizens. He called for the position of deputy minister to be removed and for the money saved to be used to increase support for pensioners.

Malema said pensioners play an important role in many families, particularly in communities where older people are responsible for supporting children and other relatives.

His comments come as political parties continue to campaign ahead of the 2026 local government elections. Social grants, unemployment, poverty and the cost of living are among the issues being discussed by political parties as they seek support from voters.

Malema also spoke about education and said the government should provide school children with more than just free tuition.

He argued that free education should include school uniforms, books and meals.

According to Malema, children should receive free uniforms and be provided with meals at school. He said learners should be given enough food during the school day so that poverty does not force young people to look for ways to make money at an early age.

Malema also compared the support provided to prisoners with the assistance available to school children. He questioned why children should struggle to receive meals and other basic support while people in prison receive food as part of the state’s responsibility.

He said government should ensure that children are properly supported so they can focus on their education instead of worrying about basic needs.

Malema also used strong language when discussing young girls who may become financially dependent on older men because of poverty.

He argued that the government should provide enough support to young people so that they do not feel forced to depend on so-called sugar daddies for financial assistance.

His argument was that government support should help young people remain focused on education and childhood rather than becoming involved in relationships driven by financial hardship.

Malema said providing meals at schools could also help prevent children from looking for employment while they are still young.

The EFF leader’s comments form part of the party’s broader argument that the government should redirect public money towards poor households and young people.

He has previously argued for higher social grants, including a proposed starting amount of R4 500, while also calling for greater support for unemployed graduates.

The latest proposal therefore places social protection at the centre of Malema’s message as the country approaches the local government elections.

His comments also highlight the EFF’s position that reducing government expenditure in certain areas could create more money for social programmes.

However, increasing social grants would require significant public funding, meaning the proposal is closely linked to questions about government revenue, spending priorities and the overall budget.

For Malema, the argument is that government should first deal with corruption and unnecessary spending before telling poor South Africans that there is not enough money to increase grants.

He said the focus should be on supporting pensioners, children and poor families rather than maintaining what he considers unnecessary government positions and expenditure.

The EFF leader’s proposals are likely to keep social grants and government spending among the major issues in political discussions as parties campaign across South Africa.

For millions of South Africans who rely on social assistance, any proposal to increase grants could have a direct impact on household finances.

Malema’s call for R4 500 pension grants, together with free uniforms, books and meals for school children, reflects his argument that government should provide stronger financial support to vulnerable people.

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