Mogale City recently took a significant step forward in the fight against gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF) by breaking ground on the refurbishment of a new safe house in Magaliesburg.

According to Mogale City Local Municipality (MCLM) communication officer Refilwe Mahlangu, the facility will provide shelter and care for vulnerable women and children, becoming the first accredited safe house of its kind in both Mogale City and the wider West Rand District.

Mahlangu explained that to strengthen intergovernmental collaboration on this project, the municipality and the Gauteng Department of Social Development are finalising an Occupation Agreement and Memorandum of Understanding.

“This partnership will enhance working relations and ensure the safe house is established on a solid, cooperative basis,” Mahlangu said.

Mayor Lucky Sele, the Gauteng MEC for Social Development, Faith Mazibuko and MMC for Social Development, Wonderful Segolodi, were present on-site to launch the initiative recently.

Mahlangu confirmed the facility is valued at R90m, with the project being implemented in two phases.

The first phase will involve installing five modular structures to accommodate 10 beneficiaries, while the second will focus on refurbishing existing facilities and constructing individual units to house a further 50 survivors.
“Once complete, the safe house will offer refuge for 60 women and children in a strategically secluded location designed to ensure privacy, safety from perpetrators and recovery,” Mahlangu added.

“Currently, Mogale City has no accredited shelter for survivors, making this initiative a lifeline for many in the community. The Council first resolved to establish such a facility in 2022, and since then, the municipality has increased its efforts to combat GBVF.”

In 2024, Mogale City participated in the World of Impact END GBV 100 Days Challenge and was recognised with a South African Local Government Association (SALGA) Award for best performance in GBVF interventions.

The facility is expected to be fully operational by November 25, coinciding with the commencement of the annual 16 Days of Activism for No Violence Against Women and Children campaign.

“Once opened, it will provide a comprehensive range of services, including psychometric social support, trauma counselling, healthcare access, play therapy for children, economic empowerment programmes, and legal assistance, offering survivors not only safety but also the tools to rebuild their lives,” Mahlangu concluded.