MINISTER MACPHERSON HANDS OVER FIVE PROPERTIES TO THE DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT FOR GBV SHELTERS

Article by Fanisa Makhubela, Pictures by Caroline Mokotedi

08 April 2025

In a decisive move against Gender-Based Violence (GBV), Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure Dean Macpherson has handed over five state-owned properties to the Minister of the Gauteng Department of Social Development Nokuzola Gladys Tolashe. These buildings, two in Johannesburg and three in Pretoria, will be repurposed as shelters for victims of abuse.

“For too long, buildings like these stood empty while women and children had nowhere to turn. That ends today,” said Macpherson during the handover ceremony held in Waterkloof. “We’re unlocking public assets to save lives and restore dignity.”

The handover marks a dramatic shift in government approach. Only two properties were transferred for GBV use in the past six years. Now, five are being delivered at once, symbolising a break from bureaucratic inertia. The Minister linked the urgency of the project to recent tragedies, including the rape of a seven-year-old girl in the Eastern Cape. “Her suffering must be a national wake-up call. Shelters are not optional—they’re essential.”

A key moment in the ceremony was the signing of certificates to be handed over to the Gauteng Department of Social Development, formalising the transfer of the properties. Additionally, a letter granting the power of attorney to the department was also presented, ensuring full responsibility for the management and transformation of the buildings into GBV shelters.

The renovated buildings are just the beginning. More properties will be released in the coming months, amidst government aiming to convert unused infrastructure into shelters, drop-in centres, and care facilities across the country. Macpherson also made it clear that accountability starts within, saying, “Any official in our department found abusing women or children will have no place here.”

The Minister’s concluded the ceremony by stating “We are not just delivering buildings—we’re delivering hope, safety, and a future where no survivor stands alone.”