Poverty survey will cost R120m

STATISTICS South Africa's poverty survey will cost the taxpayer R120-million, with the biggest chunk going to the salaries of 551 temporary field workers, printing and transport.

The agency's executive manager for household survey operations, Moses Mnyaka, said Statistics SA had requested R200-million from the Treasury for the survey but a lesser amount was approved due to austerity measures.

The survey, which started on Monday, collects data on poverty levels and what households spend their money on, including food, fresh flowers and even lobola.

Mnyaka said based on the 2010-11 income expenditure levels, 33% of the country's population live below the poverty line. – Sipho Masombuka