South Africa’s Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana has allocated new funding in the Medium Term Budget Policy Statement to expand the fight against gender-based violence and femicide, giving effect to President Cyril Ramaphosa’s four-point plan announced last month after a surge in murders, particularly across Gauteng and Ekurhuleni.
The package includes R3.8 billion to hire more than 3,500 social workers focused on prevention, R186 million for forensic and investigative capacity, an increase in sexual offences courts from 55 to 101, and a rise in Thuthuzela Care Centres for rape survivors from 72 to 80 by 2028/29.
Civil society organisations that work with survivors welcomed the allocations but warned of a severe implementation gap, questioning whether increased funding will translate into real progress on prevention, survivor support, access to justice and institutional accountability. Members of the ANC Women’s League picketed against gender-based violence outside Parliament on Wednesday as the budget was tabled.
The pledge came in a budget that also cut South Africa’s 2026 growth forecast to 1.2 per cent from 1.6 per cent. Godongwana pledged to maintain fiscal discipline — a stance labour federation Cosatu criticised, saying Treasury had missed the chance for bolder action on growth, unemployment and public services.
