Macpherson
By Neo Mofokeng
Public Works and Infrastructure Minister Dean Macpherson has handed over 10 state-owned properties in Mpumalanga to serve as shelters for victims of gender-based violence (GBV), marking a significant step in addressing South Africa’s GBV crisis. The handover, which took place on Monday, 19 May 2025, aligns with the department’s mission to repurpose vacant public assets for public good, ensuring safe havens for vulnerable communities in Badplaas, Lothair, and Delmas.
A Commitment to Public Good
The 10 properties, previously standing vacant and underutilised, were officially transferred to Mpumalanga MEC for Social Development Brenda Moeketsi during a ceremony in Mbombela. Five properties are located in Badplaas, four in Lothair, and one in Delmas. The Mpumalanga provincial department will now renovate these buildings to transform them into fully functional GBV shelters, providing critical support to survivors of violence.
Minister Macpherson emphasized the importance of this initiative:
“The handover of these properties is part of the work we are doing to ensure that the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure plays a meaningful role in improving the lives of all South Africans. By working together, we are using public assets for the public good to build a better country. Let’s build South Africa.”
The Minister reiterated his vision for the department:
“When I was appointed Public Works and Infrastructure Minister, I promised that the days of public buildings standing empty and being underutilised were coming to an end. Instead, I want public buildings to be used for the public good—particularly to help us address the scourge of gender-based violence in South Africa.”
Building on Recent Efforts
This handover follows a similar transfer last month, when five unutilised properties in Waterkloof, Pretoria, were handed over to Gauteng Social Development MEC Faith Mazibuko. With the latest transfer, the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure (DPWI) has now provided 15 properties nationwide for GBV shelters. Macpherson highlighted the department’s ongoing commitment:
“As a department, we have an important role to play in helping to provide the facilities needed to safeguard the most vulnerable in our society. In the weeks and months ahead, we look forward to increasing this number as we work to bring an end to gender-based violence.”
The ceremony was attended by Mpumalanga MEC for Public Works, Roads and Transport Thulasizwe Thomo, underscoring the collaborative effort between national and provincial governments to tackle GBV.
Addressing a National Crisis
Gender-based violence remains a pervasive issue in South Africa, with the country recording some of the highest rates of GBV globally. According to a 2023 report by the Commission on Gender Equality, the lack of accessible shelters has been a significant barrier to supporting survivors. The DPWI’s initiative to repurpose state-owned properties addresses this gap, offering safe spaces where victims can access protection, counselling, and legal support.
Macpherson noted that 47 of South Africa’s 52 districts currently have operational GBV shelters, with efforts underway to establish facilities in the remaining five:
“Minister Macpherson emphasised that his department remains firm in its commitment to working with Social Development Minister Nokuzola Tolashe and other key stakeholders to ensure that every district in South Africa has access to a fully functional GBV shelter.”
The department is expediting plans to identify and repurpose additional properties, with inspections already conducted in provinces like KwaZulu-Natal, Free State, Limpopo, and the Northern Cape.
Broader Context: Repurposing Public Assets
Since his appointment in June 2024, Macpherson has prioritized reclaiming and repurposing state-owned properties. Posts on X reflect public support for his efforts, with users praising the use of vacant buildings to address social challenges like GBV. The minister’s broader agenda includes tackling hijacked buildings, such as the eviction process at 104 Darling Street in Cape Town, and investigating corruption scandals like the R800 million oxygen plant tender.
However, Macpherson’s tenure has not been without controversy. He has faced criticism for missing parliamentary meetings and allegations of procurement interference, though he has denied these claims. Despite these challenges, his focus on repurposing public assets has gained traction, with the GBV shelter initiative seen as a tangible step toward social impact.
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