British Report: Share of Hindus in Pakistan Decreased from 14.6% to 1.7%

The South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) has revealed that approximately R1.27 billion in social grants was allocated to foreign nationals during the 2025/26 financial year. This amount constitutes less than 1% of South Africa's total social assistance budget, with permanent residents receiving the largest share of funding.

This data was presented in a written response to Parliament following an inquiry by Member of Parliament from the African Transformation Movement (ATM), Vuyo Zungulu, who demanded clarification regarding the volume of state funds paid to foreigners.

According to the Department of Social Development's response, approximately R1.12 billion was allocated to permanent residents, and about R150.8 million to recognized refugees. Additionally, R10.6 million was distributed among qualified foreign nationals through the Social Relief of Distress (SRD) grant of R370.

The total estimated expenditure across these three categories amounts to approximately R1.28 billion.

Permanent Residents Receive the Largest Share of Grants

The parliamentary response indicated that permanent residents received R1,116,540,950 in estimated social grant expenditures for the 2025/26 financial year. The largest portion was the old age grant amounting to R931.5 million, followed by child support grants (R134.5 million) and disability grants (R31.7 million).

Other payments included R8.4 million for dependent care grants, R6.6 million for assistance grants, and R3.8 million for foster care grants. The Department specified that expenditures for permanent residents accounted for only 0.45% of the country's social assistance budget.

Refugees Receive R150.8 Million in Social Grants

Recognized refugees residing in South Africa received an additional R150,843,110 in estimated social grant expenditures. Of this sum, R105.8 million was directed towards child support grants, and R32.7 million towards old age grants.

Disability grants amounted to R6 million, while grants for dependent care totaled R5.9 million. Smaller amounts were allocated to assistance grants and foster care grants, which amounted to R271,600 and R198,750 respectively. According to the department, expenditures for recognized refugees constituted 0.06% of the social assistance budget.

Lesotho Permit Holders Receive the Majority of Foreign SRD Payments

The parliamentary response also provided a breakdown of the estimated SRD grant expenditures of R10,617,150 allocated to qualified foreign nationals in the 2025/26 financial year. Lesotho permit holders received the largest share, receiving approximately R9.18 million. Overall asylum seekers received R962,370, and Zimbabwe permit holders received R448,810. The smallest share was allocated to Angolan special permit holders, amounting to R24,420.

The Department noted that total expenditures represented 0.03% of the allocated SRD R370 budget. SASSA stated that within the Covid Social Relief of Distress (SRD 370) budget for 2025/2026, the agency spent 0.03% of the allocated SRD 370 budget on foreigners.

SASSA Excludes Social Grants for Illegal Immigrants

The Department emphasized that social assistance is provided only to individuals who meet the requirements set out by South African legislation. The Constitution and the Social Assistance Act allow for benefits to be received by qualified South African citizens, permanent residents, and recognized refugees. However, individuals illegally present in the country are excluded from receiving such aid.

The parliamentary response stated: 'SASSA does not provide social grants or SRD benefits to illegal immigrants or any person unlawfully present in the Republic.' The Department further clarified that certain categories of asylum seekers and special permit holders may qualify for the SRD grant provided they meet the relevant requirements.

These requirements include having insufficient financial means, possessing valid documentation, residing in South Africa, and meeting established age and other criteria.

Less Than 1% of Social Assistance Budget Goes to Foreigners

This information emerged amid intense scrutiny of the social grant system following reports that around 400,000 recipients were flagged for assessment and review. Zungulu's question in parliament specifically concerned the breakdown of payments to foreigners by grant type, country of origin, and residency status.

In its response, the department stressed that the disclosed amounts relate exclusively to foreign nationals legally entitled to receive social assistance. SASSA stated that according to estimates for 2025/2026, less than 1% of South Africa's social assistance budget was paid to foreign nationals.

The Department also defended SASSA's verification procedures, noting that cross-referencing data with Department of Home Affairs records aims to ensure compliance with legal requirements for recipients.

A new case of animal cruelty has been documented in Tashkent. According to a video recording provided to the publication Podrobno.uz by readers, a man repeatedly subjected a kitten to cruel treatment in the residential building's entrance hall, twisting its front left paw.

After the incident, it was discovered at a veterinary clinic that the animal had a fracture of the radius bone. The events took place on the evening of October 28th. Surveillance camera footage shows that this abuse lasted for approximately four minutes, starting at 22:29 and ending at 22:33.

The initial frames show the kitten trying to hide from the man, heading to the first floor and hiding under a stroller near the closed entrance door. The man follows it, takes the animal, and carries it to the upper floors. When he leaves the camera's view, the kitten's squeal is heard.

Later, the animal tried to escape again, and the recording shows it limping while going up the stairs. Another camera captured the moment when the kitten was near the elevator. The man entered an apartment, returned, picked up the animal, and went down with it to the landing. There, he placed the kitten on the floor, held it with his hands, twisted its front left paw, and then left the scene.

A report from the veterinary clinic confirms the presence of a fracture of the left radius bone in the kitten and also indicates that the animal cannot put weight on the injured limb.

Such actions require intervention from law enforcement agencies, as the man's actions may contain signs of an offense described in Article 111 of the Uzbekistan Code of Administrative Liability concerning cruelty to animals. If it is proven that the animal sustained an injury as a result of such treatment, the perpetrator faces either a fine ranging from 15 to 25 basic calculation units or administrative arrest for up to 15 days.

It should be noted that previously in the Samarkand region, witnesses reported possible cruelty to a dog, where a man tied the animal to a scooter and dragged it across the asphalt until intervention by outraged tourists.