Government to spend R3.8 billion to protect women in South Africa

Government has reprioritised R3.8 billion over the 2027 Medium-Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) period to appoint 3 552 social workers as South Africa steps up its response to gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF).

Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana announced the funding during his Medium-Term Budget Policy Statement (MTBPS) address to the National Assembly on Wednesday, 21 October.

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The allocation comes amid growing concern over the murders and attacks on women, with government also committing additional funding to strengthen criminal investigations and support survivors of sexual violence.

Godongwana said the measures give effect to President Cyril Ramaphosa’s announcement on the unacceptably high levels of GBVF in South Africa.

R186 million to strengthen criminal investigations

Alongside the social worker appointments, government has allocated R186 million to strengthen forensic and investigative capacity within the criminal justice system.

The funding is intended to improve the state’s ability to investigate cases and respond to crimes involving gender-based violence.

Godongwana also announced plans to expand specialised support for survivors of sexual offences.

“We are expanding sexual offences courts from 55 to 101 and increasing the number of countrywide Thuthuzela Care Centres that provide support to rape victims, from 72 to 80, by 2028/29,” he said.

The expansion would increase the number of dedicated courts and care centres available to assist victims and support the handling of sexual offences cases.

More funding for GBVF coordination

Government has also allocated an additional R157.4 million to the Department of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities.

Godongwana said the money would improve national coordination and oversight of government’s response to GBVF.

The measures form part of a broader effort to strengthen support services, improve the criminal justice response and address the persistent threat of violence against women.

R556.7 million to support HIV and AIDS services

The MTBPS also addressed funding pressures facing HIV and AIDS programmes following the withdrawal of funding from the United States President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR).

Godongwana said R556.7 million would be reprioritised over the MTEF period to sustain HIV and AIDS services.

This funding will supplement the R3.8 billion already reprioritised through the district health programmes grant.

The allocation is intended to help maintain essential services as South Africa responds to the loss of external funding.

What the allocations mean

The funding commitments announced in the MTBPS cover several areas of public service delivery, from appointing social workers and strengthening forensic investigations to expanding courts and supporting HIV and AIDS programmes.

For South Africa’s GBVF response, the planned appointments and additional criminal justice resources are intended to strengthen the support available to survivors and improve the handling of cases.

The effectiveness of these measures will ultimately depend on how quickly the funding translates into appointments, expanded services and stronger investigative capacity across the country.