With the country left in suspense following the cancellation of the Budget Speech, last month, all eyes are now on what could be a make-or-break fiscal announcement. As speculation swirls over a potential 2% VAT hike, South Africa’s shelters for abused women and children are bracing for devastating consequences. The National Shelter Movement of South Africa (NSMSA) warns that, at a time when the nation is grappling with a relentless gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF) crisis, this looming tax increase is not just a financial issue – it is a matter of life and death. Already struggling with inadequate and inconsistent funding, skyrocketing costs, and delayed government disbursements, shelters fear they may be forced to scale back essential services or even turn away desperate survivors with nowhere else to go.
“A 2% VAT increase will affect so many elements of our services that we may be forced to reduce the number of beneficiaries that we take in because everything will go up. And what makes this possibility even more worrying is that electricity prices are also set to increase. These will all add to basic shelter costs and will affect skills development and so much more. GBV shelters have, for nearly two decades, been crying out to government for help, but with such decisions – which will send the cost of living through the roof – it looks like our collective cries are falling on deaf ears,” says the Nisaa Institute for Women’s Development.
The NSMSA is an umbrella body that supports over 100 GBV shelters, like Nisaa, which are critical lifelines for victims of domestic and intimate partner violence, offering safe havens, legal assistance, counselling, and other restoration services to those who need it the most.
“Government must recognise that its responsibility to provide shelter for abused women and children is just as important as providing social grants to the elderly, or to children with unemployed parents. And while we do this work because we care and are passionate about restoring our society, we need government support to truly make a difference,” says Dr Zubeda Dangor, Head of Executive at NSMSA.
Since its inception in 2008, the NSMSA has repeatedly sounded the alarm on the immense burden shelters bear in providing critical support to GBV survivors – without sufficient financial or structural backing from the government. Rather than increasing support, the government has steadily cut funding, leaving shelters overwhelmed, under-resourced, and struggling to accommodate the growing number of victims seeking refuge. This ongoing neglect has forced shelters, with the support of NSMSA, to shoulder the weight of an overburdened system, putting the safety and wellbeing of survivors at even greater risk.
“When we request funding, it is never for excess but only to meet the urgent needs of survivors who rely on us for safety, healing, and a chance to rebuild their lives. Yet, shelters face chronic underfunding and delayed government payments, which deepen the financial strain and creates a lot of uncertainty. This not only threatens essential services but also takes a heavy emotional toll on shelter staff, who are already stretched to their limit. The government’s continued lack of support for GBV shelters raises serious concerns about its commitment to protecting vulnerable women and children and sends a troubling message that their safety is not a priority.”
When considering the implications of a possible 2% VAT increase, in addition to delayed government disbursements, shelters will have less funding, that is also inconsistent, to operate with. Creating such gaps of uncertainty in the provision of services ultimately sabotages beneficiaries’ rehabilitation and their successful reintegration back into society. This is counterproductive to the NSMSA’s efforts to help as many victims of GBV as is possible.
Dangor says, “We have repeatedly made it clear – this is not a fight we can take on alone. The government must do more than offer words; it must take real, tangible action to support GBV victims. Addressing the deep-rooted social issues that threaten public wellbeing must be a national priority, as they form the foundation of our society. And a nation cannot stand strong on a crumbling foundation. We continue to call on the government to step up and fulfil its responsibility. A 2% VAT increase is not the answer, and we can only hope this proposal never comes to pass. People are already struggling under immense financial strain, and we fear that pushing them further could lead to an increase in violent crime against women and children.”
Contact the National Shelter GBV Helpline by calling 0800 001 005, or send an SMS, WhatsApp or Please Call Me to 082 057 8600 / 082 058 2215 / 072 230 7147, or send an email to infohelpline@nationalsm.org.za. * Businesses are encouraged to include this information on their websites, intranets and social media.
To donate to the NSMSA, visit www.nsmsa.org.za/donate.
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