The National Shelter Movement of South Africa
says 16 places of safety that assist women and children could be forced to shut
their doors due to insufficient funding.
The movement’s KZN representative, Nadia
Munsamy, says limited funds make it difficult to care for victims.
“Currently at R70,35 per woman or child
and the quick analysis shows from 2012 to 2024 that there was an increase of a
mere R11,35 per client or a child and no consideration of exorbitant inflation
was taken into account.”
Munsamy says each shelter can accommodate up to
35 people, and the money received goes towards meals, rent, maintenance, and
transport.
She says they also pay for certificates and IDs
because, in some cases, abusers tear or burn them.
READ: MTBPS: Daunting day ahead for Godongwana
“GBV in South Africa is at its highest,
and it has been declared a pandemic by President Cyril Ramaphosa, and the women
and children are daily needing a place of safety.
“What is going to be their fate without
operating shelters?”
Meanwhile, Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana
will table his Medium-Term Budget Policy Statement in Parliament on Wednesday
afternoon.
Economist Bonke Dumisa believes the spotlight
should be on future growth objectives
“Last
year’s public servants’ bill went up by more than 7.5 per cent, and economic
growth was at 0.6 per cent, which is unsustainable. We hope that the government
is not going to lose the stamina to resist the high salary increases.”
Find us on social media
Follow the ECR Newswatch WhatsApp channel here
