No R1.2k grant for HIV patients, says health department

The national Department of Health has denied that people living with HIV/Aids will start receiving a monthly grant of R1 200 per month. In a statement released on Saturday, 7 March 2026, the department’s spokesperson, Foster Mohale, confirmed that this is fake news. “Thus, people living with HIV are urged to ignore this fake news but continue to take a lifesaving treatment available freely in public health facilities to live longer and healthier.

“This is also important for preventing HIV from multiplying and reducing the risk of drug resistant and treatment failure,” said Mohale. Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana last month delivered his 2026 budget speech. There was also no mention of a grant that would be directed towards patients with HIV/Aids.

According to Godongwana, social grants remain a top government priority. R2.67 trillion will be spent in the 2026/2027 fiscal year, with R292.8 billion of the total amount going towards social grants.