The publication of the Studies in Poverty and Inequality Institute’s (SPII) Fourth Working Paper could not have come
at a more opportune time than currently, given the renewed emphasis on poverty eradication through various interventions, especially the institution of central planning and monitoring and evaluation government machinery.
Underpinning the policy and implementation exploration which forms the basis of this work is the need to ascertain the extent to which the constitutionally sanctioned rights are translated into everyday experiences of South Africans, particularly the poor.

Although scientifically sound and as vigorous as possible, this edition of the Poverty Audit Project lays no claims to be of similar auditing nature to the classic accounting professions. It does however share a similar intention in spirit, namely, the intention to interrogate the gap between inputs and outputs in the implementation of pro-poor policies.
This Fourth Working Paper: Can Government Policies Be Said To Be Pro-poor thus attempts to interrogate those departments whose responsibilities are intrinsically linked to specific socio-economic rights. What this research hopes to achieve, as well, is to provide a foundation for further thinking and input into the expansion of socioeconomic rights in future policy making and  implementation, specifically those aspects that are intended to alleviate and ultimately eradicate poverty in South Africa.