Apartheid reparations: R498m paid, as thousands still await relief

Justice Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi announced that the South African government has distributed R498 million in reparations to over 21,000 apartheid victims. Regulations for these one-off grants were published in 2003, identifying 21,676 potential recipients. As of August 2026, 17,560 victims have received the R30,000 grant, totaling approximately R490 million paid out.

Kubayi revealed that the government has made efforts to notify the remaining 4,216 beneficiaries through various media channels, including newspapers and social media, to encourage their applications. While the government has acknowledged progress in implementing the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) recommendations, critics argue that bureaucratic delays persist.

The minister highlighted that 1,711 housing assistance applications have been received and verified, with 1,093 applicants currently in the process. The EFF Party's Khaya Ceza criticized the government for failing to address urgent issues such as exhumations, housing, and educational reparations, stating that today's generation was not part of the negotiations that prioritized justice over reconciliation.