Deputy social development minister Hendrietta Bogopane-Zulu has come under fire for telling beneficiaries of SA Social Security Agency (Sassa) grants not to spend their payments on alcohol.
Bogopane-Zulu was speaking at a fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) campaign in Limpopo this week.
She said beneficiaries must start respecting their Sassa grants and using them to better their lives and not drink them away.
“The grants Sassa gives out, that people worked hard for, beneficiaries do not respect them,” she said.
Deputy Minister explains how South Africans should start respecting their SASSA grants and using them to better their lives and not drink it away. #FASD#FASDfreeMzansi pic.twitter.com/c2wMIOIzDt
— Social Development (@The_DSD) September 5, 2022
According to Bogopane-Zulu, some women admitted to using the money for alcohol or paying for alcohol stokvels instead of buying food.
“While poverty and unemployment were raised as a concern, women admitted to drinking, resorting to brewing their own alcohol concoction known as ‘gemmer’ when they could not afford to buy alcohol,” she said.
“You can only help me fight FASD in this community by staying away from alcohol when you are pregnant. No amount of alcohol is safe for an unborn child.”
The deputy minister said no unborn baby deserves to be fed alcohol while developing.
“When you want a baby, make the right choice and stay away from alcohol when you are pregnant. No drop of alcohol is safe for your unborn baby,” said Bogopane-Zulu.
She urged community members to support expecting mothers.
Many online criticised Bogopane-Zulu, saying her comment was “misinformed and out-of-touch”.
Some said the deputy minister was attributing the habits of a few to the majority.
Here is a snapshot of what many had to say:
Deputy Minister explains how misinformed and out-of-touch government employees falsely attribute the habit of a few to the overwhelming majority.
— Hans Rehder Knows Stuff (@MadgersUnited) September 6, 2022
This statement is not supported by evidence - not here, nor elsewhere in the world. Is this the best deputy we have?
Its actually embarrassing to say the least. This deputy Minister should have done better shame and I so wish she offer some apology for such statements.
— Mzi (@EdwardEdwardd2) September 6, 2022
I think it's all of the above but make no mistake they love the poor and they especially love keeping them poor because grants create dependence on the state. They will not want to get rid of them (vote them out) in fear the grant goes away. Guaranteed voter base of millions!
— 🇿🇦Franna3000🇿🇦 (@franna3000) September 6, 2022
And I hate this tendency of talking like they PERSONALLY OWN government resources.
— Kwanele Asante, BA Liberal Arts, LLB, MSc Med (@breastlessAfrik) September 6, 2022
What happened to serving citizens who voted for their rhetoric of *A Better Life for All* and for the promise of putting *Batho Pele*?
Mzansi voters need to sober them up.
(Vote them out)
Where is the evidence to show that people erroneously spend the grant money on what you view as frivolous things? Studies have disputed what you have put forward as fact here. People use the grant money to buy the necessities. The cost of living is rising but the grant is not.
— New Orleans African Zulu (@AyandaTankiso) September 5, 2022
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