Municipalities ordered to conduct audits, identify high-risk areas

Every municipality must begin a women’s safety audit without delay.

This is the directive of President Cyril Ramaphosa, who last night (Tuesday) addressed the nation on the killing of women in Ekurhuleni.

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“On Sunday, the body of another woman was found in Springs. This brings to 11 the number of women’s bodies found in Ekurhuleni since July,” said Ramaphosa.

As part of the national gender-based violence and femicide (GBV-F) response, he said municipalities must identify high-risk areas, working with provincial governments and the police.

“Within 60 days, these audits must identify broken streetlights, overgrown public spaces, abandoned buildings, unsafe transport routes and facilities, poorly secured parks and other conditions that place women at risk.

“Within 90 days of completing the audit, the most urgent hazards must have been addressed or included in a funded implementation plan with clear completion dates,” said Ramaphosa.

He said the audit results and progress in correcting the identified hazards must be made public.

“Provincial and municipal authorities must intensify enforcement of existing liquor laws and by-laws, particularly against unlicensed outlets and establishments that trade outside permitted hours,” said the president.

“Women should not have to live in fear because the government has failed to repair a light, clear a public space, process evidence or enforce a law. Every sphere of government must understand that the safety of women is part of its responsibility.”

An Inter-Ministerial Committee and the National Council on Gender-Based Violence and Femicide will monitor measures implemented and issue consolidated public progress reports every quarter.

“A first consolidated report must be issued within 90 days, with public progress reports every quarter thereafter,” said President Ramaphosa.