President Cyril Ramaphosa has ordered a 60-day investigation into unresolved murders, attempted murders, rapes, and serious sexual offences involving women and children in South Africa. The probe aims to identify the number of unresolved crimes, their ages, and reasons for delays. This move is part of a four-point plan to tackle the country's scourge of gender-based violence and femicide. Ramaphosa expressed sympathy for the families of 12 women killed recently.
The investigation will be conducted by the Minister of Police and the Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development, working with the South African Police Service and the National Prosecuting Authority. The audit must establish how many cases remain unresolved, the ages of those cases, which are awaiting forensic evidence, where suspects have been identified but not arrested, and where investigative or prosecutorial action has been unreasonably delayed. The exercise intends to ensure cases do not remain trapped in the system without clear accountability.
Ramaphosa has also instructed the Police Minister, the national police commissioner, and relevant forensic authorities to produce a funded plan within 60 days to reduce forensic backlogs. The plan must detail the size and age of the backlog, shortages of personnel and equipment, the resources required, and when the backlog is expected to be reduced. Priority forensic samples and cases involving the rape or murder of women and children must be ring-fenced for urgent processing.
Every municipality has been instructed to begin a women's safety audit without delay, working with provincial governments and the police to identify high-risk areas. Within 60 days, the audits must identify broken streetlights, overgrown public spaces, abandoned buildings, unsafe transport routes, poorly secured parks, and other places where women may be exposed to danger. The audits place responsibility on local authorities to identify and address environmental risks.
The President has also called for provincial and municipal authorities to intensify enforcement of existing liquor laws and bylaws, particularly against unlicensed outlets and establishments trading outside their permitted hours. A coordinated legislative and enforcement package will be submitted to Cabinet within 60 days, focusing on reducing alcohol-related violence as part of the broader prevention strategy.
Ramaphosa emphasized that alcohol does not cause gender-based violence and can never excuse it, but acknowledged that harmful alcohol use remains a significant aggravating factor in interpersonal violence. The proposed measures aim to combine stronger enforcement with a coordinated approach across government departments. The President's speech referred to one woman being dumped in a cemetery, underscoring the need to examine the safety of public spaces.
The findings and progress of the audits and investigations must be made public so communities can see what has been identified, what has been fixed, and what remains outstanding. Ramaphosa stated that women should not have to live in fear because government has failed to repair a light, clear a public space, process evidence, or enforce a law. The government aims to address delays that can hold up investigations and leave families waiting for answers.
Key points
- President Cyril Ramaphosa orders 60-day investigation into unresolved murders and rapes involving women and children
- Government to implement four-point plan to tackle gender-based violence and femicide
- Municipalities to conduct women's safety audits to identify high-risk areas
