Question NW1739 to the Minister of Social Development
30 May 2022 - NW1739
Opperman, Ms G to ask the Minister of Social Development
(1)Whether, with reference to the fact that the Northern Cape has only eight victim support shelters with a bed capacity of 20 to cater for victims of gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF) in relation to the provincial number of reported GBV cases reported in the province, she has found that the bed capacity is sufficient to address this pandemic in the province; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, (2) whether she has found that the specified province has enough social workers rendering psychosocial support services; if not, what steps are being taken to rectify the situation; if so, (a) in what areas in the Northern Cape is GBVF more prevalent and (b) what has she found to be the reasons that the specified areas are hotspots? NW2067E
Reply:
1. The Northern Cape Province has eight (8) Victim Support Centres, six (6) are operational and two are in a process of being finalized. The total bed capacity of the shelters is 40. The bed capacity is sufficient because the Province has never experienced a situation where there is no space to accommodate and provide services to victims in the shelters. Victims whose home environment is safe and conducive, are provided with services by Social Workers outside of the shelter, in their homes. Over and above the four districts in the Province has a Victim Support Centre while one district does not have a Centre, which is Namaqua District. In partnership with Namakhoi Municipality, the Department is in a process of establishing a centre in the outstanding district in the current financial year 2022/23.
2. The Province does have enough capacity to render psychosocial services and has appointed sixteen (16) GBV Social Workers who are responsible for GBV related cases only. There are two (2) Victim Empowerment Social Workers in Z.F. Mgcawu and Frances Baard District who are also responsible for GBV. In partnership with National Department, HWSETA, four (4) GBV Social Work Interns are appointed on contract to strengthen GBV services in the Province. Probation Officers are also responsible to provide GBV services.
a) According to SAPS Crime Stats 2021/22, Francis Baard District (Galeshewe, Roodepan, Pampierstad, Hartswater) are the Hotspots of GBV in the Province. Furthermore, the Departmental Social Work Performance Reports from the districts confirms the crime stats, Francis Baard has the most number of victims provided with psycho-social support services.
b) The areas are identified as hotspots due to the number of cases of GBV reported at SAPS ranging from rape, murder, assault etc.