Masabata Mkwananzi|Published
Gauteng’s Department of Social Development reached 345 people through gender-based violence (GBV) and crime shelter services in the first quarter of 2025/26, falling 178 short of its target amid funding and municipal compliance problems affecting non-profit shelters.
Department of Social Development spokesperson Motsamai Motlhaolwa confirmed the underperformance. He said voluntary admission was another contributing factor, as some victims were reluctant to stay in shelters.
The department reached about 66% of its target. Its quarterly performance report said some non-profit organisations (NPOs) were not funded because of late submissions and municipal compliance problems.
“Performance is affected by NPOs that were not funded due to late submission and compliance related to Municipal by-laws,” the report states.
Shelter target missed in first quarter
The department funds NPO-managed shelters across Gauteng’s regions. Its report also identifies governance and financial management problems as challenges affecting service delivery.
It says non-compliance has led to the closure of some NPOs, affecting homeless shelters, victim empowerment centres and facilities for children and young people.
Motlhaolwa said the department was engaging municipalities to help shelters meet by-law requirements. It was also working with the national Department of Public Works to identify government buildings that could be converted into shelters.
“The Department has collaborated with National Department of Public Works to identify buildings that can be repurposed for shelters to improve accessibility to reach more clients in the Province,” he said.
Department cites NPO funding and compliance
The department confirmed that 142 of the 1,390 people accommodated in shelters during 2025/26 discharged themselves.
It did not provide a breakdown of how many people left because of distance from their communities, transport costs or other financial pressures, and did not attribute the departures to any specific cause.
Motlhaolwa said victims received safety plans and contact details for social development offices, community-based victim empowerment offices and GBV social workers to contact if they found themselves in danger.
“The Department ensures that victims are educated on a safety plan,” he said.
DA calls for more accessible accommodation
The Democratic Alliance (DA) has raised concerns that women placed far from their communities face additional transport costs, disruption to their children’s schooling and difficulties keeping their jobs. The party says these pressures have contributed to some women leaving shelters.
DA Gauteng shadow MEC for Social Development Refiloe Nt’sekhe said women fleeing abuse should not have to sacrifice their children’s education or livelihoods to find safety.
“A woman fleeing violence should not have to choose between her safety and keeping her children in their school. She should not have to choose between escaping an abusive home and keeping her job,” she said.
Nt’sekhe said awareness campaigns and prevention efforts were important, but victims also needed somewhere safe and accessible to go when violence occurred.