Cyril Ramaphosa unveils 4-point plan to tackle gender-based violence
A national case-recovery drive will target unresolved murders, rapes and serious sexual offences against women and children, alongside a push to clear the forensic backlog.
President Cyril Ramaphosa has launched a four-point recovery plan aimed at strengthening South Africa’s response to gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF).
The initiative focuses on addressing critical weaknesses in policing, investigation, forensic processing, prosecution and community safety that currently hamper access to justice for women and children.
Central to the initiative is a national case-recovery operation focused on unresolved murders, attempted murders, rapes and serious sexual offences involving women and children. Measures are also included to improve turnaround times for priority cases sitting in the forensic backlog.
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Government is calling on residents to become active partners by reporting criminal activity, providing information that can assist investigations and supporting survivors of violence.
“The fight against GBVF and crime requires government to act decisively, institutions to perform effectively, communities to remain vigilant and every sector of society to reject violence,” said government.
A particular emphasis has been placed on men and boys. They are called upon to speak out against violence, challenge harmful behaviour and reject notions of masculinity that normalise domination and abuse.
“Silence and turning a blind eye to abuse cannot become normalised,” said government.
South Africans are urged to stand together against GBVF, crime and intimidation, exercising their constitutional rights peacefully and within the law.
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