Ntuli-Zuma Criticised Over Grants Comments

Presidential spokesperson, Mac Maharaj, has come to the defence of one of the president’s wives, Nompumelelo Ntuli-Zuma, who had suggested that child support grants be scrapped and the money used instead for old-age pensions.

Ntuli-Zuma was quoted by the New Age as saying that, “Most young teen mothers dump their babies with their grandmothers, while gallivanting around and abusing the grants money” on luxury items, including cellphone airtime.

Her comments were contrary to the researches by the Black Sash and South African Institute of Race Relations, which found that while there is a perception that child support recipients misuse the money, the majority of mothers use the grant responsibly.

To read the article titled, “Child grants: Mac defends Zuma’s wife,” click here.