CAPE TOWN - Almost a month after President Cyril Ramaphosa announced a four-point plan to tackle the high rate of gender-based violence and femicide, Treasury has now put funding behind the plan.
Delivering the Medium-Term Budget Policy Statement in Parliament on Wednesday, Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana allocated R3.8 billion to hire more than 3,500 social workers to strengthen prevention in response to rising murders and attacks on women.
Additionally, he allocated R186 million to forensic and investigative capacity.
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Equally Godongwana committed to expanding sexual offences courts from 55 to 101 and increasing the number of countrywide Thuthuzela Care Centres.
These centres, he said during his speech, will provide support to rape victims, increasing from 72 to 80 by 2028/2029.
Treasury’s funding commitments went beyond violence against women and children, with the government also committing to fighting crime and corruption.
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The South African Police Service fleet is set to receive R810 million next year, while R2.2 billion over the medium term will be added to enhance the independence of the judiciary.
In the same breath, the government is also considering measures to strengthen the capacity of the border inspectorate and the immigration officers to address challenges with illegal migration.
“Crime and corruption weaken governance and hold back the economy. It robs the fiscus of funds intended for service delivery and raises the cost of doing business,” Godongwana said.