President Cyril Ramaphosa has announced a four-point recovery plan to ensure cases involving violence against women and children do not stall and that perpetrators are brought to justice.
Addressing the nation on Tuesday evening, Ramaphosa directed Acting Police Minister Professor Firoz Cachalia and Justice Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi to lead a national case-recovery operation focused on unresolved murders, attempted murders, rapes and serious sexual offences.
“Within 60 days, this audit must identify the number and age of unresolved cases, cases awaiting forensic evidence, cases in which suspects have been identified but not arrested and cases in which investigative or prosecutorial action has been unreasonably delayed,” he said.
He also ordered police and forensic authorities to submit a funded plan within 60 days to reduce forensic backlogs, with priority samples in rape and murder cases involving women and children to be urgently processed.
Every municipality has also been instructed to conduct women’s safety audits to identify hazards such as broken streetlights, unsafe transport routes, abandoned buildings and poorly secured public spaces.
Ramaphosa further directed several ministers to develop a coordinated legislative and enforcement package to address alcohol-related violence.
“Alcohol does not cause gender-based violence and it can never excuse it. Responsibility always lies with the perpetrator,” he said.
The Inter-Ministerial Committee and National Council on GBVF will monitor implementation, with the first consolidated public progress report due within 90 days.
Ramaphosa said tackling GBV must also focus on prevention and changing attitudes towards women.
“It is time for good men to stop being silent men,” he said.
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