Opposition MPs criticise termination of R350 grant — 'a lifeline for many' 25 May 2021 - 19:12 DA MP Bridget Masango says thousands of desperately poor people have no choice but to subject themselves to demeaning and inhumane treatment to get their grants. File photo. Image: South African Government via Twitter Opposition parties have criticised the government for stopping the R350 social relief of distress grant which was introduced to address poverty at the beginning of the Covid-19 lockdown last year. This as social development minister Lindiwe Zulu tabled her department's R205bn budget for the 2021/22 financial year on Tuesday. She said the allocated budget was a reduction of R6.5bn from the initial allocation of the 2020/21 medium-term strategic framework, which will culminate into cumulative reduction of R38.5bn over the next three years.