{
  "id": 11731350,
  "title": "‘Government must be your sugar daddy’: Malema says social grants should be increased",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/03/government-must-be-your-sugar-daddy-malema-says-social-grants-should",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-03T17:09:04.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Citizen",
    "slug": "the-citizen",
    "url": "https://www.citizen.co.za/news/south-africa/politics/government-must-be-your-sugar-daddy-malema-says-social-grants-should-be-increased/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "EFF leader Julius Malema called for an increase in social grants, advocating for pensioners to receive R4500 each. He spoke at a party rally in KwaZulu-Natal, suggesting that the government could afford this expenditure if corruption and wasteful spending were curbed. Malema proposed cutting down the bloated cabinet by eliminating deputy ministers who earn millions but contribute little, arguing these positions should be redirected towards helping pensioners and families of black people. He also pushed for free uniforms for school children, believing that providing for their basic needs would reduce the need for children to seek employment at a young age or engage in criminal activities. Malema further argued that school children should enjoy the same privileges as prisoners, receiving three meals a day, which he claimed prisoners receive, but the government should offer better conditions to those who have done nothing wrong.",
  "summary": "Malema says the state can afford to increase social grants if corruption is dealt with.",
  "key_points": [
    "EFF leader Julius Malema calls for increased social grants.",
    "Suggests pensioners receive R4500 each if corruption reduced.",
    "Proposes free school uniforms and three meals for children."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "IOL",
        "title": "'He must rot in jail’: Malema takes aim at Ramaphosa",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/03/he-must-rot-in-jail-malema-takes-aim-at-ramaphosa",
        "published": "2026-10-03T13:18:00.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}