The National Shelter Movement of South Africa (NSMSA) – an umbrella organisation supporting more than 100 shelters nationwide – acknowledges the allocations announced in the 2026 Medium-Term Budget Policy Statement (MTBPS) to address gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF). “Investment in policing, forensic capacity, social workers and the justice system is necessary. However, the MTBPS raises a fundamental question: Where is the investment in shelters that help survivors escape violence and rebuild their lives? If GBVF is a national disaster, women and children must be able to access immediate protection, safe accommodation and sustained support,” says NSMSA.
More capacity must translate into better services
“The R3.8 billion allocated to employ more than 3,500 social workers is significant. However, government must also address the low salaries in the NGO sector, including social auxiliary workers (SAWs), some of whom earn as little as R3500 a month, despite the critical role they play in supporting survivors of gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF). If government is investing in expanding the social services workforce, why is there not a corresponding investment in improving the salaries and working conditions of those already providing essential services on the ground?” says NSMSA.
Furthermore, the gender justice organisation says that government must clarify where the newly appointed social workers will be stationed, whether funding will extend to NGO shelters and organisations outside the Department of Social Development (DSD), and whether they will have specific GBVF responsibilities. The public also needs clarity on how this funding will be phased and how its impact will be measured. Increasing capacity within government alone will not automatically strengthen the NGOs providing services to survivors.
“Frontline workers cannot be expected to carry the burden of an overstretched system while earning poverty-level wages. Fair and sustainable salaries, adequate resources, effective referral pathways, clear responsibilities and meaningful collaboration with frontline organisations are essential. Otherwise, government risks investing in one part of the system while the shelters and organisations receiving survivors remain overburdened, underfunded and unable to adequately support the people who depend on them,” says NSMSA.
According to NSMSA, the R186 million allocated to forensic and investigative capacity is welcome insofar as it is combined with adequate training and staff capacity. These should result in the uninterrupted availability of adult and child rape evidence-collection kits and properly resourced Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences units. Forensic turnaround times should also be reduced and investigations strengthened.
Police must do more than arrive at the scene
The R810 million allocated to recapitalise the South African Police Service (SAPS) fleet next year may address delays caused by vehicle shortages. However, an effective GBVF response cannot be reduced to providing more vehicles. Investment must include gender-sensitive training, appropriately trained personnel, private victim-empowerment rooms and effective monitoring of compliance with domestic violence legislation
“The Public Protector has identified several critical deficiencies involving training, privacy, case registration and consistent application of legislation. Yes, survivors need police who can reach them, but they also need police officers to respond lawfully, sensitively and reliably. Therefore, government should demonstrate how fleet expenditure will improve the safety and experience of women and children seeking protection,” says NSMSA.
Justice and coordination need accountability
The planned expansion of sexual offences courts from 55 to 101 is a welcome investment in access to justice. However, increasing Thuthuzela Care Centres (TCCs) from 72 to 80 by 2028/29 adds only eight centres over several years. Government must explain how survivors elsewhere will obtain timely support, particularly those experiencing domestic or intimate-partner violence who may need emergency accommodation. Cases at TCCs have much higher rates of prosecution, it is a model that works and the government must invest in for all communities that need it.
The additional R157.4 million allocated to the Department of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities for national coordination and oversight also requires scrutiny. Coordination funding must come with clear authority, measurable responsibilities and accountability for implementation across policing, justice, social development, health and human settlements.
This is particularly urgent following the Portfolio Committee’s concern about R54.7 million in donor funding for gender-responsive governance, women’s empowerment and GBVF programmes that remained unspent. Parliament is right to demand accountability and measurable results. Critical to success is resourcing the first-line responders.
“The reasons for underspending – including procurement delays or late disbursements – must be investigated and addressed through firm corrective timelines. Such delays cannot become an accepted feature of public funding. Additional allocations will inspire confidence only when government demonstrates that money reaches implementing organisations and delivers tangible improvements for survivors,” says NSMSA.
Where is the investment in shelters?
The announced GBVF package appears heavily weighted towards strengthening state institutions, without identifying a new dedicated allocation for shelters or the NGO sector carrying much of the frontline response.
Shelters provide immediate safety, accommodation, psychosocial assistance, referrals and pathways towards rebuilding lives. Yet many depend on inadequate, unpredictable and short-term funding. When resources fall short, shelters cannot accommodate as many survivors, retain skilled staff or provide comprehensive support. Behind every shortfall are women and children who may be left without urgently needed protection.
In 2025, the NSMSA’s National GBV Shelter Helpline received 1,324 GBV-related calls. Of these, 234 resulted in shelter placements, 292 callers received advice on personalised safety plans and other emergency interventions, and 143 received assistance relating to protection orders. These figures demonstrate the range of needs behind every request for help.
Most shelters in the NSMSA network operate at or near capacity. NSMSA estimates that accommodation and support services cost approximately R300 per person per day. However, the reality is that shelters have to make do with less than half that amount. Chronic underfunding, delayed subsidies, staffing shortages and inadequate infrastructure undermine consistent, quality services.
A national disaster requires a fully funded response
The additional R2.2 billion over the medium term to strengthen judicial independence is welcome. However, success must be measured not only by resources allocated to state institutions, but by whether survivors can access protection, justice, accommodation and ongoing support.
The organisation says, “South Africa cannot afford a disconnect between money allocated to fight GBVF and resources available to those confronting its consequences every day. Shelters cannot carry the weight of a national emergency on inadequate funding and goodwill alone. The NSMSA calls on government to match its commitments with transparent implementation plans, stronger accountability for expenditure and dedicated, sustainable funding for shelters and frontline organisations. Survivors need more than promises of a better tomorrow. They need a functioning system that helps them reach safety, recover and rebuild their lives today.”
The NSMSA therefore reiterates its call for:
- Urgent, transparent accountability for unspent GBVF funds, with explanations, corrective measures and firm implementation timelines.
- Ring-fenced, sustainable baseline funding for shelters that reflects actual costs, including staffing, accommodation, security and psychosocial support.
- Investment in additional accommodation, infrastructure and specialised psychosocial and legal services.
- Stronger monitoring of the National Strategic Plan on GBVF, with transparent reporting on whether funding reaches implementing organisations and produces measurable outcomes.
- Recognition of shelters and NGOs as essential service providers and partners, rather than peripheral beneficiaries of government programmes.
Do You or Someone You Know Need Help?
National GBV Shelter Helpline – Toll-free, 24/7: 0800 001 005
SMS / WhatsApp / Please Call Me: 082 057 8600 | 082 058 2215 | 072 230 7147
Email: infohelpline@nationalsm.org.za
To support the National Shelter Helpline, please visit: A United Voice Against GBVF | Back-a-Buddy. And for more information, follow the National Shelter Movement of South Africa (NSMSA) on Facebook, Twitter/X, LinkedIn and YouTube.
