GBV shelter receives lifeline vehicle
The vehicle will strengthen the shelter's support services for survivors of abuse and human trafficking, boosting its ability to assist vulnerable women and children.
A Tshwane-based shelter supporting survivors of gender-based violence (GBV) and human trafficking was donated a vehicle by the Gauteng Department of Social Development (GDSD) to strengthen victim support services.
The vehicle was handed over to House of Mercy as part of the department’s efforts to improve services offered to vulnerable women and children affected by abuse, violence and trafficking.
According to the department, the vehicle will assist the shelter with transport and support services linked to victim empowerment and care.
GDSD spokesperson Motsamai Motlhaolwa said the department followed a national assessment process before selecting shelters eligible to receive vehicles funded through the Criminal Assets Recovery Account (CARA).
“Several shelters provide services to victims of GBV and human trafficking in Gauteng. The department utilised a specific assessment criterion provided by the National Department of Social Development to determine the suitability of shelters to receive a motor vehicle,” explained Motlhaolwa.
He said shelters were assessed based on compliance with the Prevention and Combating of Trafficking in Persons Act and other operational requirements.
“The shelter had to be registered as a GBV shelter, recognised and monitored by the Department of Social Development, actively provide residential or support services to survivors, and commit to using the vehicle exclusively for victim support-related activities,” said Motlhaolwa.
He shared that House of Mercy met the criteria and demonstrated commitment to assisting survivors through accommodation, psychosocial support, and skills development programmes.
The handover also comes as South Africa celebrates the 30th anniversary of the Constitution, which the department said remains important in protecting the rights and dignity of vulnerable people.
During the 2025/26 financial year, the department assessed 132 suspected victims under the act, and others were placed in accredited shelters for care and protection.
Motlhaolwa further added that the department continues to observe several challenges linked to human trafficking within Gauteng, particularly underreporting and limited public understanding of trafficking trends.
“Another key challenge is the limited awareness and understanding of the definition of human trafficking, as well as emerging trends in trafficking in persons,” he said.
He shared that trafficking linked to forced criminality has become a growing concern among young people.
“Of growing concern is trafficking for the purpose of forced criminality. [It is] where young people are increasingly being recruited into criminal networks that use online job advertisements and social media recruitment to deceive individuals into accepting fake jobs where they are then trapped inside scam centres and forced to scam others,” said Motlhaolwa.
He added that the trend mirrors international cases reported in Myanmar and Cambodia, where South African youth were trafficked and exploited in scam compounds.
“To date, the department, in collaboration with other relevant stakeholders, assisted in the repatriation of over 80 young South Africans and was able to provide ongoing psychosocial support and skills development intervention,” said Motlhaolwa.
The department also identified lengthy investigations and prosecution processes in trafficking cases as another challenge delaying justice and support services for victims.
Motlhaolwa said the department has intensified awareness campaigns and strengthened partnerships with stakeholders to improve responses to trafficking and GBV cases.
“The department has intensified awareness campaigns and educational programmes targeting communities through platforms such as door-to-door campaigns, radio stations, schools, civil society organisations and faith-based organisations,” he concluded.
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