The attacks on Social Development Services are delaying visits and raising concerns about access to child protection and other services in high-risk areas.
Western Cape social development workers have fallen victim to 22 hijackings and attempted hijackings so far this financial year, as concerns mount that attacks on already stretched social workers could leave vulnerable children and families without timely help.
The Department of Social Development (DSD) has identified Khayelitsha, Gugulethu, Nyanga, Delft and Mfuleni as hotspots for attacks on employees, while three incidents were recorded in Khayelitsha in the space of just one week.
The attacks – an increase from the 17 incidents recorded during the entire 2025/26 financial year – come amid ongoing pressure on social work services in the province.
Earlier this year, DSD acknowledged to the Western Cape Provincial Parliament that inadequate funding meant social services were not optimally resourced. The department said it had quantified the need for social service professionals in the province and submitted this to the National Department of Social Development in June.
