'Attacks on social workers should be classified as crimes against the State' - DA

CAPE TOWN - There's a move to classify attacks on social workers as crimes against the State.

The Western Cape Legislature's Social Development committee has made the request to Justice and Constitutional Development Minister Thembi Simelane.

The Democratic Alliance's (DA) Wendy Kaizer-Philander says recent briefings to the committee have revealed an alarming trend of social workers being targeted by criminal syndicates.

She says while no fatalities have been reported to date, the psychological and operational impact on these frontline workers has been severe.

Kaizer-Philander says heightened stress, trauma and increased absenteeism have become widespread, compromising their ability to serve vulnerable communities.

"We want to thank the other parties in the committee who supported the DA’s resolution. It is of utmost importance to protect our social workers who work tirelessly to better our society. Any attack on a social worker is unacceptable and should be classified as an attack on the State so that harsher sentences can be applied."