South Africa’s Department of Justice and Constitutional Development says more than R80 million in unclaimed child maintenance is sitting in state accounts, and it is urging beneficiaries to come forward. At a public hearing in KaBokweni, Mpumalanga, on Thursday, Oct. 30, 2025, Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi called for simpler systems that route payments straight into children’s bank accounts to speed access and cut red tape. The appeal forms part of the Maintenance Unclaimed Monies and Maintenance Matters Community Outreach Campaign.
Kubayi put the unclaimed total at about R84 million and said officials will step up track and trace efforts to find recipients and process payouts. The department says funds often go uncollected when money is paid to the state and contact details are outdated, or beneficiaries do not follow up. The campaign aims to educate parents on how to apply and claim support and to ease delays that strain households, while reinforcing that both parents must contribute based on income.
Kubayi put the unclaimed total at about R84 million and said officials will step up track and trace efforts to find recipients and process payouts. The department says funds often go uncollected when money is paid to the state and contact details are outdated, or beneficiaries do not follow up. The campaign aims to educate parents on how to apply and claim support and to ease delays that strain households, while reinforcing that both parents must contribute based on income.
