The Gauteng Department of Social Development (GDSD) has denied plans to close Child and Youth Care Centres (CYCCs) amid growing concerns over funding and proposed reforms.

This follows a statement by the DA, which warned that vulnerable children in Gauteng could face abandonment risks due to proposals discussed at the 2025 Johannesburg Care Reform Summit.

This includes the long-term phasing out of institutional care by 2030 and an immediate halt to admitting children under three to CYCCs.

GDSD spokesperson Teddy Gomba said claims that Gauteng is moving to shut down centres are ‘incorrect and misleading’.

“There is no decision, policy or plan to close CYCCs in Gauteng,” said Gomba.

“No compliant Child and Youth Care Centre funding was reduced or stopped for the current or previous financial year. At no point will children be left without care, delayed in placement or exposed to harm.”

Gomba stated that while Gauteng participated in the 2025 Johannesburg Care Reform Summit alongside civil society partners, the outcomes have not yet been endorsed by the national department and are not binding on provinces.

He further clarified that it has not endorsed proposals calling for widespread CYCC closures by 2030, describing such a move as unrealistic within the current provincial context.

Addressing concerns about younger children, Gomba said there is no blanket ban on admitting children under three into CYCCs.

“The Gauteng’s approach is guided by Section 157 of the Children’s Act 38 of 2005, which promotes family-based care and adoption for children aged three years and younger where appropriate.

“With CYCC placement remaining a last resort and determined on a case-by-case basis in the best interests of the child.”

Gomba outlined the province’s existing capacity, which includes 36 004 children placed in approved foster care and 206 private Temporary Safe Care placements.

He said there are eight government-run CYCCs with a capacity for 947 children. There are also 141 registered NPO-run CYCCs, of which 128 are funded by the department. These have a capacity of 3 691, the highest number nationally.

“In October 2025, GDSD began developing a Provincial Child and Youth Care Strategy as required by Section 192 of the Children’s Act and placed a temporary moratorium on the registration of new CYCCs to allow for mapping and needs assessment.”

The department said this moratorium does not affect existing operations.

The DA’s Gauteng Shadow MEC for Social Development, Refiloe Nt’sekhe, maintains that CYCCs were not adequately consulted and that alternative care systems such as foster care and safety shelters are already under strain.

She has called for clarity from Gauteng MEC for Social Development Faith Mazibuko on whether the summit outcomes will be implemented in the province and how children under three will be accommodated should a moratorium be enforced.

However, at least one centre said its experience tells a more complex story.

Hilda Werber of Alfonso Maria Fusco Children’s Home detailed a series of administrative and funding challenges dating back to 2024, when the centre’s operating certificate expired and delays in renewal were linked to new municipal fire compliance requirements.

Werber said that although the renewal was eventually approved in early 2025 after governance changes, including the removal of sisters from management roles, funding was rejected on the basis that the centre had not been compliant during earlier panel assessments.

“Requests for interim food support were unsuccessful, and a deviation request took several months to process,” said Werber.

In August 2025, Eskom reportedly disconnected electricity due to non-payment, affecting water, sanitation and security systems.

She stated that children were relocated to other facilities and employees were retrenched with the promise of recall should funding be restored.

“We were informed that the funds will be directed to another programme. That’s how the 10 months’ salaries for employees and other debts were forfeited,” said Werber.

She added that while electricity and water have since been restored and operational costs reduced, prevailing financial conditions make it difficult to reapply for funding.

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