National Public Works delays opening of WC GBV shelters

“Through a written parliamentary reply, it was brought to light that the opening of six shelters for survivors of gender-based violence (GBV) is once more delayed due to slow administration from the national Department of Public Works and Infrastructure (DPWI),” says Gillion Bosman, MPP, the DA Spokesperson on Social Development.

The original delay was due to the significant amount of time DPWI took in responding to negotiations for reaching a Memorandum of Understanding with the province.

Now, a further delay comes as a result of the security and quality concerns of the sites. For that reason, a detailed ‘snag’ list of defects was compiled. It is up to DPWI to attend to, amongst others, broken windows and security of the shelters so that provincial service providers can move in by 1 February.

It is also necessary for rezoning to take place as well as electrical and occupancy certificates to be finalised.

I will therefore continue to conduct the necessary oversight to ensure that there are no hiccups in the finalisation of these shelters, particularly with reference to their security and suitability for GBV survivors. The fight against mitigating GBV and its effects depends on our efficacy.

Whilst the province has already appointed service providers and funding models are in place to ensure furnishings, DPWI needs to make haste and fulfil its obligations.

Until handover of quality shelters for service providers to extend their desperately needed services, it is important that Minister De Lille sees to it that their side of the agreement is upheld and that further unnecessary delays are avoided at all costs.