The department of social development is in a state of disarray‚ and corruption and maladministration are allowed to “run rife” under minister Bathabile Dlamini’s leadership‚ opposition MPs charged during a heated budget vote debate in parliament on Tuesday.

In her speech‚ Dlamini said social assistance like child support grants will take up the lion’s share of the department’s of R137-billion budget.

Dlamini said it was “common cause” that her department’s social assistance programme is South Africa’s “most effective anti-poverty initiative”.

But opposition MPs were quick to tear into the budget‚ raising issues related to the SA Social Security Agency (Sassa).

Democratic Alliance MP Patricia Kopane was the first to take to the podium‚ accusing Dlamini of allowing corruption and maladministration to “run rife” under her leadership.

At one point‚ the debate almost degenerated into chaos when MPs from both sides of the house raised their voices while making gestures and pointing fingers at each other.

“It is clear to all who wish to see that the department of social development it is in a sorry state. The minister terminated a [Special Investigating Unit] investigation into corruption by senior managers at Sassa and appointed a private company because the ninister wanted a company that she could manipulate to turn a blind eye to corruption‚” said Kopane.

Kopane said Sassa spent just over R11-million to a private security company to protect officials and their family members.

She said the focus should be on the economy on growing more jobs as opposed to social grants.

“Research shows most South Africans prefer to be employed then depend on a social grant‚” said Kopane.

The DA’s Lindy Wilson accused Dlamini of showing no regard for the portfolio committee or their oversight function.

“The minister has only attended two of the eight portfolio meetings this year‚ which means that its members have not been able to raise their concerns and questions‚” said Wilson.

Dlamini defended the grant system saying the World Bank’s “The State of Social Safety Nets 2014” report ranks the child support grant amongst the top-five programmes in the world and also the largest social safety net in Africa.

“In fact‚ South Africa performed very well when compared with other middle-income countries. Therefore‚ it is not a coincidence that the government of Thailand has introduced an unconditional grant which was modelled on South Africa's’ child support grant‚” said Dlamini.

African National Congress MP Zoleka Capa said social challenges faced by the country informed the background to the budget.

“The debate today is very important as it touches on the lives of the marginalised and destitute communities of our country‚” said Capa.