The number of people who have tested positive in the country is now at 402 and counting.

"We are retaining existing clients, but we do not want any walk-ins unless when they come with SAPS and have been tested to be negative. We don't want the virus spreading to our victims and survivors because they also stay with their children at our shelters," says Mary Makgaba, the director of People Opposing Women Abuse (POWA). POWA currently overseas two shelters in Gauteng.

Rise Up Against Gender-Based-Violence's Mandisa Khanyile says there has been a spike in GBV cases since the announcement of a national state of disaster.

"The fact that people are self-isolating, the men who would usually go to the shebeens are now drinking at home and being violent at home. We have seen a spike in new cases and these women now have no place to run to," says Khanyile.

Khanyile adds that the homeless are also vulnerable during this time.

"We are already seeing season changes and a lot of wet weather so people who are already immune-compromised because they live on the streets in unhygienic conditions will be more compromised. They are far more vulnerable to coronavirus than some of us who are able to self-isolate."

Jacaranda FM