Service Impact: Department of Social Development

Much-needed services were denied to many vulnerable clients of the Western Cape Department of Social Development (WCDSD) who could not access services due to the minibus taxi strike.

Provincial Minister of Social Development, Sharna Fernandez, said, “I’m grateful the impact on DSD staff and services were minimal compared to other sectors, but I am deeply troubled by the unnecessary violence and deaths it led to. My condolences to all those who lost loved ones during this tumultuous period. Furthermore, we saw violence against a local social worker from a designated child protection organization was attacked in Strand, and her car torched.”

The Minister expressed her gratitude by saying, “Thank you to the brave staff who continued working on the ground. Social service professionals still carried out their duties across the province under the difficult circumstances, like going to courts to assist on cases and providing psychosocial support. During times like these, it is always the most vulnerable citizens who suffer, like the abused or neglected child or elderly person or victims of gender-based violence, They are the ones who suffer the most,”

The following WCDSD services have been impacted:

Food relief services were hindered: Several WCDSD-supported organisations that provide feeding to impoverished communities across the Cape Metro could not operate this week. This was due to incidents of violence, staff unable to go out, and delivery vans unable to deliver ingredients in these areas: Philippi, Gugulethu, Langa, Khayelitsha.

The Sanitary Dignity Project: The Department could not deliver sanitary pads to selected schools in the Cape Metro.

DSD staff couldn’t conduct home visits without a police escort.

Several offices were closed:

- Atlantis                                                         - Eerste River

- Gugulethu                                                   - Delft satellite

- Nyanga                                                         - Langa

- Philippi satellite                                          - Milnerton

- Mitchells Plain                                            - Cape Town

- Khayelitsha                                                 - Malmesbury

- Knysna                                                        - Bredasdorp

- Elsies River                                                  - Bellville

- Paarl

As a precautionary measure, these offices will only resume full operation on Monday, 14 August 2023, except for Bredasdorp DSD office, which is open today, 11 August 2023.

The after-hours service is still activated, and contact numbers are on the doors of the offices.

For information about WCDSD services, please call our toll-free number 0800 220 250 or visit your nearest Department of Social Development local office. You can also visit: https://www.westerncape.gov.za/dept/social-development