The Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) in South Africa has recorded a significant increase in gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF) cases involving police officers. In the 2025/26 financial year, IPID registered 5,259 cases, with 332 of those being GBVF-related. This includes 116 cases of rape by police officers, 58 cases of assault and torture, and 24 murder cases.
According to IPID spokesperson Lizzy Suping, the directorate's 2025/26 annual report, tabled in the National Assembly, revealed that KwaZulu-Natal registered the most GBVF cases with 60, followed by Gauteng with 58, the Free State with 52, and the Eastern Cape and Northern Cape with 27 cases each. The top six police stations with the highest number of GBVF cases were identified, with Kimberley in the Northern Cape and Mariannhill in KZN having seven cases each.
The IPID reported an increase in rape cases involving police officers, with 116 cases registered in 2025/2026, compared to 95 cases in 2024/2025. Of the 116 rape cases, 44 were committed by off-duty police officers, while 72 were committed by on-duty officers. This development has sparked concern from civil society organisations, who argue that the involvement of law enforcement officers in perpetrating violence is alarming.
Civil society organisations have expressed deep concern over the latest GBVF statistics from IPID, highlighting the broader challenges South Africa faces in ensuring GBVF cases are effectively investigated and prosecuted. Dot Field, chair of the GBVF Response Fund's Advocacy, Behaviour Change and Communications Committee, stated that the statistics are deeply concerning and that it is particularly troubling that police officers are allegedly perpetrators in a significant number of the cases recorded.
The GBVF Response Fund and civil society organisations have called for swift and effective investigation and prosecution of GBVF cases. They also emphasise the need for current, detailed crime statistics on women and children. Field explained that the figures include only reported cases, meaning the true scale of violence against women and girls is likely far greater, highlighting issues with GBVF data reliability.
Vanessa Samuel-Chetty of the National Dialogue Steering Committee (GBVF Sector) highlighted that the figures may not truly reflect actual cases, citing corruption as a possible reason for underreporting. She also expressed disappointment over the conviction rate, saying there was an expectation of far more convictions, especially when cases were investigated by IPID.
Despite the concerning statistics, IPID secured 84 criminal convictions for various crimes in the 2025/26 financial year, with sentences ranging from a few months to life imprisonment. Of the 84 convictions secured, 26 were GBVF-related cases. The directorate's efforts to hold police officers accountable for GBVF cases are seen as a step in the right direction, but more work needs to be done to address the issue.
Key points
- IPID recorded 332 GBVF cases involving police officers in 2025/26.
- 116 rape cases were registered in 2025/2026, with 72 committed by on-duty officers.
- Civil society organisations have called for swift and effective investigation and prosecution of GBVF cases.
