By Everson Luhanga
- The Gauteng Department of Social Development has 771 vacant posts, leaving children, GBV victims and families in crisis without support.
- Only 45 social workers cover 130 Gauteng police stations, and 15 of those stations have no social workers at all.
The Gauteng Department of Social Development has 771 critical posts vacant, and children in care, abuse victims and families in crisis are struggling to get help.
The empty posts include social workers, auxiliary workers and psychologists. They make up about 15% of the department’s workforce of more than 5,000 employees.
The gaps mean slower investigations into child abuse and fewer support services in communities. Children in care and families in crisis are among those affected. Victims of gender-based violence (GBV) and femicide often get limited help.
The shortage is also visible at police stations. Gauteng has 145 police stations, but only 130 have social workers or support teams. Just 45 social workers cover those 130 stations, with each worker rotating between four stations. This limits the time they can spend with victims.
Fifteen stations have no social workers at all. In these cases, police have to find other ways to help. Some stations work with non-profit organisations. Others refer victims to nearby offices or rely on community safety staff.
The Democratic Alliance (DA) says it uncovered the crisis during a portfolio committee meeting. The party has asked the department to explain how long the posts have been vacant and whether they are funded.
The department says 90 posts have been filled. It is not clear if these reduce the 771 vacancies.
This comes after President Cyril Ramaphosa promised that social workers would be placed in police stations. The department says it remains committed to improving access to services.
Pictured above: Gauteng Department of Social Development.
Image source: Gauteng Department of Social Development/Facebook
