Addressing the media in parliament this week, Skweyiya said further research was being undertaken and that a final report would be presented to Cabinet.

The minister declined to comment on reports that some people living with HIV/Aids were reluctant to start on anti-retroviral drugs as they feared that, once their health improved, they would no longer be eligible for a disability grant, a lifeline for many poor families.

‘€œIt (accessing the grant) all depends on what the doctor says. We only depend on the medical report (when approving or continuing a grant),’€ said Skweyiya.

He added that his department would continue the implementation of the Comprehensive Anti-Fraud Detection and Prevention Plan, application of the means test as well as the review of the eligibility of all beneficiaries as a result of changes in their circumstances.

The minister confirmed that a total of 516 cases of social grants fraud were brought to court by December 22 with 128 convictions.

At least half the 12 000 public servants found to have defrauded the system are expected to be prosecuted by the end of March 2007 and the remainder by 2008, once investigations were completed.

Skweyiya said Government planned to speed up sanitation and waste and refuse removal policies for the poor on the basis of the indigent policy framework approved last year as part of the social wage package.

The total number of poor households in the country is estimated at 5 682 272 out of a national household total of 12 701 572.

According to Government statistics, two-million households (8,2-million people) have been provided with basic sanitation since 1994. This translates into a rate of 67 percent of households having access to basic sanitation in 2005 compared to 48 percent in 1994. ‘€“ Health-e News Service