Treasury sets aside R5.1 billion to fight gender-based violence
Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana told the National Assembly that most of the money, R3.8 billion, will pay for more than 3 500 new social workers. He spoke in Cape Town while presenting the Medium-Term Budget Policy Statement.
Godongwana said a further R186 million was reprioritised to forensic services and investigative capacity. The social workers will work in the provinces to strengthen prevention. He said the money responds to rising murders and attacks on women.
Godongwana said the allocations match the growing numbers of sexual offences courts, care centres, victim support programmes and shelters for survivors. Sexual offences courts will grow from 55 to 101 by 2028/29. Thuthuzela Care Centres will increase from 72 to 80 in the same period.
Treasury also expects savings of R6.2 billion from a decline in social grant beneficiaries, which it links to stronger verification measures. Beneficiaries fall from 17.8 million to 17.1 million between 2026/27 and 2029/30.
Key facts
- Who
- Enoch Godongwana (Finance Minister); National Treasury (government department allocating the funds)
- What
- Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana told the National Assembly, while presenting the Medium-Term Budget Policy Statement in Cape Town, that R5.1 billion has been allocated to the GBVF response, including R3.8 billion to hire more than 3 500 social workers and an extra R186 million reprioritised to forensic services.
- When
- 21 October 2026
- Where
- Cape Town
- Status
- Reported