Thabo Bodibe
Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi has underscored the provincial government’s commitment to addressing the scourge of Gender-Based Violence (GBV) and homelessness within the province.
His remarks followed the Gauteng Premier’s State of the Province Address, delivered on Monday, February 19, 2024, at the Nasrec Expo Centre.
Gender-based violence remains a pressing concern for residents of Gauteng, a fact emphasised by recent SAPS crime statistics highlighting the province’s significant contribution to reported cases of sexual assault and rape.
Gauteng contributes approximately 20.6% of sexual assault cases and 20.4% of rape cases, respectively, to the national cases.
“This heightened focus on crime meant incorporating the creation of an e-policing network and ICT infrastructure to bolster our GBV, school safety and visible policing efforts, amongst others,” said Lesufi.
Lesufi announced that the Gauteng Government plans to implement the Provincial Gender-Based Violence Plan, which aligns with the National Strategic Plan on Gender-Based Violence and Femicide, in collaboration with various stakeholders.
Thus far, the provincial government has rolled out 23 Green Doors, the victim’s empowerment centres (VECs) at police stations and shelters to support survivors of GBV in just under 500,000 households.
“We unleashed 34 sexual offence unit cars to respond to gendered-based cases speedily.”
Meanwhile, efforts to tackle homelessness have also been substantial.
According to Lesufi, over the term, the provincial government has provided a safety net to over 340000 homeless beneficiaries who were admitted to homeless shelters and those reached through homeless outreach campaigns.
“We provided 2782 shelters, including 19 Park homes. Furthermore, through these shelters, we provide daycare services to over 21,000 homeless people, where the homeless receive meals, counselling, and referrals to relevant services. About 8097 beneficiaries received life skills training,” he said.
Many have been reunited with their families, while others have secured job opportunities.
To extend support, a basket services initiative for the homeless includes five wash mobile trailers, trucks, and mobile offices operating as drop-in centres for those in need.
Concerning the provincial anti-substance abuse campaign, known as Ke Moja Without Drugs, Lesufi reported that, to date, the programme has reached over 6 million substance abusers.
“We assisted 155 616 service users to access substance use disorder (SUD) treatment services.
During the administration, 205 071 individuals addicted to drugs were rehabilitated, including being taken into aftercare facilities. Our substance abuse prevention programmes reached 15 832 764 beneficiaries.”
He announced that the government has entered into a Private Public Partnership with Clinix Health Group of hospitals to provide inpatient treatment services, including 119 Inpatient treatment beds, 200 Outpatient treatment programmes, and 160 Halfway house beds.
On the Anti-Substance Abuse Helpline, launched in October 2022, Lesufi said a total of 25 402 service requests were registered, with the highest usage being crystal meth, followed by nyaope.
“We have provided various treatment interventions, and 4 851 users received inpatient treatment services from Government and NPO treatment centres. We provided over 8000 outpatient services and 8304 community-based services.”
SOURCED FROM THE GPG WEBSITE.
