SA MOVES TO ALERT LEVEL 3

BY STAFF REPORTER
The government has brought back the Social Relief of Distress (SRD) grant to mitigate on the social distress caused by poverty and unemployment on many South Africans.
President Cyril Ramaphosa announced on Sunday evening that the country had moved to alert level 3.
He said the grant which will be paid for eight months, will provide support to those who have no means of supporting themselves.
“We are reinstating the Social Relief of Distress Grant to provide a monthly payment of R350 until the end of March 2022,” he said.
Ramaphosa said this has been made possible by the slight improvement they have seen in revenue collection.
The SRD grant was introduced in April last year as part of the R500 billion economic and social relief measures announced by President Cyril Ramaphosa as part of the national response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Its roll out began in May and extended to January 2021 untill 30 April 2021.
Ramaphosa added that more people will be elligeable for the payment.
“We are expanding the number of people who are eligible for this grant by allowing unemployed caregivers who currently receive a Child Support Grant to apply,” he said.
Tinyiko Mabuza (29) told Timeless while Ramaphosa’s announcement became good news to his ears, he wished more could be done to improve the payment system.
“This thing of queuing to be paid undermines the very same efforts by government to eliminate Covid infections,” he said.
“Why can’t they transfer the money to bank accounts?”he asked.
Meanwhile Ramaphosa said inter- provincial travel is opened.
He said the curfew will be adjusted to 10pm to 4am, gatherings at all establishments would allow 50 people indoors and 100 outdoors. This includes church and sports gatherings
A maximum of 50 people at funerals would be allowed, with a two-hour time limit, with no night vigils or “after tears” parties
– Alcohol will be allowed for off-site purchase from Monday at 10am until Thursday at 6pm and on-site consumption according to license conditions
– Safety protocols like the wearing of masks, sanitisation and physical distancing must continue
– Employers must encourage working from home where possible.
“We will also defer payment of PAYE taxes for a period of three months to provide businesses with additional cash flow, with an automatic deferral of 35 percent of PAYE liabilities for employers with revenue below R100 million,” Ramaphosa said.
He said this was going to encourage employers to hire and retain employees, especially those in the retail and hospitality sectors which have been worst affected.
“We are expanding the Employment Tax Incentive for a period of four months to include any employee earning below R6 500 and to increase the incentive amount by up to R750 per month.” Most importantly, the UIF will provide income support to all those employees who have lost jobs as a result of the recent unrest,” he said.