President Cyril Ramaphosa has ordered a nationwide review of unresolved murders, rapes, and serious sexual offences involving women and children in South Africa. The intervention aims to address the government's inadequate response to gender-based violence and femicide. Ramaphosa conceded that the government's efforts so far have been insufficient, emphasizing the need for more decisive action.
The review will cover unresolved cases, identify those awaiting forensic evidence, and determine where suspects have been identified but not arrested or where investigative or prosecutorial action has been unreasonably delayed. Authorities must establish the number and age of unresolved cases within 60 days. This nationwide operation will involve the police and justice ministries, working with the South African Police Service and the National Prosecuting Authority.
Ramaphosa has also ordered the police minister, national police commissioner, and forensic authorities to produce a funded plan within 60 days to reduce forensic backlogs and establish turnaround times for priority GBVF cases. The plan must quantify the size and age of the backlog, shortages of personnel and equipment, and the resources required. Forensic samples involving the rape or murder of women and children will be prioritized for urgent processing.
In addition to the case review, Ramaphosa has directed every municipality to conduct a women's safety audit, identifying high-risk areas in conjunction with provincial governments and police. Within 60 days, municipalities must identify hazards such as broken streetlights, overgrown public spaces, and poorly secured parks. The most urgent hazards must be addressed within 90 days after the audits are completed or included in funded implementation plans with clear deadlines.
The measures come amid concern over the discovery of 11 women's bodies in Ekurhuleni since July. Ramaphosa confirmed that police have not found evidence that the killings were committed by a single perpetrator, although all possibilities remain under investigation. Arrests have been made in three of the investigations, with suspects in custody and persons of interest identified in other cases.
Alongside the criminal justice measures, Ramaphosa has ordered provincial and municipal authorities to intensify enforcement of liquor laws, particularly against unlicensed outlets and establishments operating outside permitted hours. The ministers responsible for trade and industry, health, social development, police, and cooperative governance have been given 60 days to submit a coordinated legislative and enforcement package aimed at reducing alcohol-related violence.
Ramaphosa emphasized that addressing GBV requires a multifaceted approach, including changing attitudes about male control, entitlement, and consent. He cited a South African Medical Research Council study which found that more than 60% of women murdered in 2021 and 2022 were killed by an intimate partner. The Inter-Ministerial Committee on GBVF and the National Council on GBVF will monitor implementation, with a first consolidated public progress report due within 90 days.
Key points
- President Ramaphosa has ordered a nationwide review of unresolved GBV cases, imposing deadlines on police, prosecutors, and municipalities to address the backlog.
- The government will implement a plan to reduce forensic backlogs and establish turnaround times for priority GBVF cases.
- Municipalities will conduct women's safety audits to identify and address high-risk areas.
