The National Assembly of South Africa is set to debate the issue of gender-based violence in the country. The debate comes in the wake of a recent spate of murders of women, largely in the City of Ekhurhuleni, which has raised concerns about the government's response to attacks on women. The Democratic Alliance had requested the debate on a matter of national importance, calling for government intervention to address the issue.
President Cyril Ramaphosa has described violence against women as a stain on the national conscience. He declared GBV a national disaster last year and appointed a GBV council to deal with policy matters. Despite these efforts, the DA has called for the government to be held accountable for the rising violence against women. The debate is expected to focus on why GBV-based policy has not had the desired effect.
The issue of GBV has been a persistent problem in South Africa, with hundreds of women gathering at the Union Building lawns in Pretoria in November 2025 to protest against gender-based violence. The protests highlighted the need for the government to take decisive action to address the issue. The DA has argued that the government must be held accountable for the rising violence against women.
The debate on GBV will take place during a marathon plenary session of the National Assembly as it returns to work for the final term of the year. Members of Parliament will be given the floor to make statements on current affairs, and it is expected that GBV will feature prominently in these discussions. The house will also consider other matters, including the remuneration for commissioners of the Electoral Commission.
The City of Ekhurhuleni has been particularly affected by the recent spate of murders, with several women killed in the area. The city has offered condolences to the families of the victims and has called on residents to come forward with information that may help bring the perpetrators to justice. The police are also investigating the death of a man linked to the murder of a woman in Tembisa.
The debate on GBV comes at a time when the country is still reeling from the aftermath of a mass shooting in Cape Town that killed 17 people. The South African Communist Party has called for a state of emergency to be declared in response to the violence. The issue of GBV has also been linked to broader issues of violence and crime in the country.
Other matters to be considered by the National Assembly include apologies to be tendered by Economic Freedom Fighters MPs, including its leader, Julius Malema, and EFF spokesperson Sinawo Thambo. They are expected to apologize for their conduct during an interview with the Judicial Service Commission in 2021 and for allegedly assaulting a DA MP, respectively.
Key points
- The National Assembly will debate the issue of gender-based violence in South Africa following a spate of murders in the City of Ekhurhuleni.
- President Cyril Ramaphosa has described violence against women as a stain on the national conscience.
- The debate will focus on why GBV-based policy has not had the desired effect.
