6 more govt buildings secured for GBV survivors
The Department of Public Works and Infrastructure says six buildings have been identified in the Western Cape to be used as shelters for gender-based violence survivors.
The Department of Public Works and Infrastructure says six buildings have been identified in the Western Cape to be used as shelters for gender-based violence survivors.
Ministers of Public Works and Infrastructure Patricia de Lille and Minister of Social Development Lindiwe Zulu hosted a joint press conference announcing the latest initiatives to address the scourge of GBV at the Imbizo Media Centre in Cape Town.
De Lille said they are also looking at additional four properties in Pretoria that will be used as safe havens.
"As Public Works, we are the owners of these buildings, we will be responsible for the maintenance and repairs but what goes on inside these buildings will be determined by the Minister of Social Development.
She added: "As government we can go beyond just talking about a rapid response to gender-based violence but knowing the situation that people and women stay in these abuse relationships knowing they have no where to go, we are able at least to come forward and offer some government-owned buildings.”
De Lille said the initiative to house survivors would eventually extend to all nine provinces.
"We then set aside a budget to renovate these properties, to clean them up, to make sure they are safe houses that can be used by our communities."
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