Mpumalanga GBV organisation faces challenges due to USAID funds termination
The loss of the USAID funding has left GRIP's in the lurch. The organisation has had to let go of employees and the rest had to take salary cuts.
“We are navigating our ship in the dark and there is no lighthouse.” This is how GRIP’s CEO, Tarryn Lokotsch, described the current state of affairs due to the loss of funding.
GRIP has lost 52% of its annual funding, which amounts to about R8m. This comes after the 90-day pause in funding by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), which was under the directive of the new US administration, became an official termination of funds. GRIP received a termination notice last month. This has placed extreme financial pressure on various healthcare sectors and NGOs in South Africa.
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USAID and its flagship initiative, the President’s Emergency Plan for Aids Relief, have been assisting with funding. GRIP would receive the funds through the Networking HIV and Aids Community of Southern Africa.
GRIP renders services to thousands of survivors of rape, sexual assault and domestic violence. Due to this loss of funds, the organisation had to officially let go of 21 employees. Previously they had had to temporarily terminate their employment while they waited for the outcome of the 90-day pause. The staff members working at the shelter are currently volunteering, as the NGO cannot afford to pay their salaries. All the other staff members who are still working are doing so on reduced salaries.
The loss of the USAID funding has left GRIP’s five hospital trauma care rooms in the province without financial support. The ones that are affected by this are at the Tintswalo, Matikwana, Carolina, Mkhondo and Lydenburg hospitals. GRIP has first responders at police stations and courts who can assist survivors in opening a formal case and with getting a protection order.
At the shelters, the survivors and their children have access to a social worker for long-term support, and housemothers are available to assist with healthy meals and childcare. The shelters are focused on victim empowerment and, as such, all unemployed survivors are assisted with building a curriculum vitae and completing job applications. Vocational skills such as vegetable farming, sewing, beading and knitting are available.
The local organisation will have to shut down its operation in Sabie at the end of March because it cannot afford to keep the doors open. If GRIP does not receive assistance, it will have to close other trauma care rooms at the end of April.
Lokotsch said these care rooms are a lifeline for GBV survivors. They provide crisis intervention, medical care and legal support when victims need it most.
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“The staff members at the shelter have to volunteer while we wait to find out if the Department of Social Development has included us in its budget. Even if we do not pay the staff, we still need funds to keep the shelter running and to provide food for the survivors.”
Lokotsch said they are currently trying to come up with solutions and hope their community and businesses can join them in their quest.
“Locals and sponsors can get involved by partnering with GRIP and adopting a trauma care room. Adopt a care room for 12 to 24 months or co-sponsor with another business to share the commitment.”
She said local businesses can get to showcase their brand as leaders in social responsibility and directly impact the lives of GBV and rape survivors in the community. “By sponsoring a care room, you’re not just covering essential costs, you are providing hope, safety and support to those who need it most,” she explained.
2024/25 third-quarter crime statistics:
The province’s 2024/25 third-quarter crime statistics, which were released on February 26, revealed that overall, the Ehlanzeni District Municipality recorded 379 rape cases, while the province recorded a total of 784.
There were 54 cases of rape reported to the KaBokweni SAPS, compared to 42 in the second quarter of 2023/24, making this station number one in the province and 11th nationally.
The Pienaar Police Station recorded a decrease from 45 to 34 cases, currently ranking number four in the province.
Both Pienaar and KaBokweni ranked in the top five stations in Mpumalanga for the highest number of attempted murders. Pienaar at number two with 24 cases and KaBokweni number five with 16. The report showed that most attempted murder cases had been reported to have taken place in public spaces, followed by residences of perpetrators, including those who are known by the victim.
In total, Pienaar recorded a high number of the 17 community-reported serious crimes, ranking number three with 494 cases. These crimes include murder, theft, arson, robbery, burglary and assault. The Nelspruit Police Station ranked first in this category with 1 214 cases.
