Minister Dean Macpherson renews use of six DPWI properties to support continued GBVF shelter services in the Western Cape
- Public Works and Infrastructure Minister Dean Macpherson today formalised the renewal of six state-owned properties made available to the Western Cape Department of Social Development for the continuation of Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (GBVF) shelter services.
- The properties in Aurora, Albertinia, Heidelberg, Laingsburg and Moorreesburg have been used to support shelter and care services for victims and survivors of GBVF, and the renewal will ensure the continuation of these services.
- The renewal forms part of Minister Macpherson’s commitment to ensure that public assets continue to be used for the public good, particularly where they support vulnerable communities and frontline social services.
During a signing ceremony at the Western Cape Department of Social Development on Wednesday, the Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure, Dean Macpherson, formalised the renewal of six state-owned properties made available to the Western Cape Provincial Minister for Social Development, Jaco Londt, for the continued provision of shelter and support services for victims and survivors of Gender-Based Violence and Femicide.
The properties, situated in Aurora, Albertinia, Heidelberg, Laingsburg and Moorreesburg, have already been identified and made available for utilisation by the Western Cape Department of Social Development.
The Ministers were joined by Western Cape Provincial Minister for Infrastructure, Tertuis Simmers, during the signing ceremony.
Minister Macpherson said the renewal reflects the department’s commitment to ensure that public property is used for the public good, and does not stand idle or vacant in communities across the country.
The renewal of these six properties is part of the department’s broader work to ensure that state-owned properties are actively used to support service delivery, alongside the 801 unused and non-essential state-owned properties identified by the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure (DPWI) for sale or repurposing.
“When I took office, I made it clear that public assets must be used for the public good. This renewal gives practical meaning to that commitment by ensuring that these state-owned properties continue serving as safe spaces for some of the most vulnerable people in our society. As the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure, we are proud to support the Western Cape Department of Social Development and its partners in providing shelter, care and protection to victims and survivors of Gender-Based Violence and Femicide. The days of public properties lying idle, attracting crime and degradation, must come to an end. These assets must be used to improve lives, strengthen service delivery and restore dignity to our people,” Minister Macpherson said.
Western Cape Provincial Minister Londt said the partnership with the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure will play an important role in supporting victims and survivors of Gender-Based Violence.
“This renewal reflects our shared commitment to putting the needs of our citizens first. By continuing this partnership, we are ensuring that these properties remain safe havens for women, children and vulnerable people fleeing gender-based violence and other crises. I thank Minister Macpherson for renewing our use of these properties, and Minister Simmers for his continued partnership. Together, we are strengthening support for survivors and building safer communities across the Western Cape,” Provincial Minister Londt said.
Western Cape Provincial Minister Simmers said infrastructure is viewed as a catalyst for dignity and spatial transformation.
“We view infrastructure as a catalyst for dignity and spatial transformation, and there is no greater dignity we can provide than a safe haven for vulnerable members of our communities.
“Today, we are seeing the practical execution of our shared commitment to make public assets available for the public good. As the Department of Infrastructure, we pledge our ongoing support to ensure these assets are preserved, maintained, and kept fit-for-purpose,” Provincial Minister Simmers said.
Enquiries:
James de Villiers
Spokesperson to Minister Macpherson
Cell: 082 766 0276
E-mail: james.devilliers@dpw.gov.za
Bernhard Lotriet
Head of Office: Minister Londt
Cell: 081 774 7301
E-mail: bernhard.lotriet@westerncape.gov.za
Melt Botes
Spokesperson to Minister Simmers
Cell: 082 431 0068
E-mail: Melchior.Botes@westerncape.gov.za
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