Geordin Hill-Lewis, leader of the Democratic Alliance (DA), has expressed concerns that South African women are not free due to the high levels of gender-based violence (GBV) and femicide in the country. He made these comments after President Cyril Ramaphosa addressed the nation on GBV on Tuesday evening. Hill-Lewis questioned what tangible changes would come out of the president's speech, citing years of plans, meetings, and funding announcements that have not yielded significant results.
Hill-Lewis emphasized that the success of the criminal justice system should not be measured by the number of government promises, but by the actions taken against perpetrators of GBV. He stressed that those who commit crimes against women must be held accountable, and the state must take concrete steps to ensure their prosecution and imprisonment. The DA leader highlighted that the party measures success by the number of offenders found guilty and behind bars, not by the number of promises made to combat GBV.
President Ramaphosa has made several announcements since 2019 to address GBV and femicide, including the implementation of a national response plan, a strategic plan, and funding commitments worth billions of rand. New legislation has also been introduced, and a statutory council has been established. GBV and femicide were classified as a national disaster in November last year. However, Hill-Lewis pointed out that there is a persistent gap between what is announced and what women experience in their communities.
The DA leader noted that the party would not wait for the national government to address the country's safety concerns if it were to govern after the November elections. The DA plans to strengthen municipal law enforcement capabilities, deploy more visible officers in crime hotspots, and use technology to improve safety. The party also aims to work closely with neighborhood watches, community organizations, private security companies, and the police to prevent crime and protect communities.
Hill-Lewis emphasized that the ultimate goal is to create a country where women do not have to adjust their daily lives in fear of being attacked or murdered. He envisioned a South Africa where every government sphere uses its available powers, and the government and communities work together to ensure women's freedom is not limited by fear. The DA leader stressed that this is how a country can be built that works for everyone, including women, their families, and all citizens.
The DA's approach to addressing GBV and safety concerns differs from that of the national government. While the government focuses on making announcements and promises, the DA aims to take concrete actions to prevent crime and protect communities. Hill-Lewis expressed confidence that the DA's approach would yield better results and create a safer and more secure environment for South African women.
The issue of GBV and femicide remains a pressing concern in South Africa, with many women and communities calling for tangible actions to address the problem. The DA's stance on the issue is clear: the party is committed to taking concrete steps to prevent crime and protect communities, and to ensuring that perpetrators of GBV are held accountable. The DA's proposals and plans aim to create a safer and more secure environment for all South Africans, particularly women.
Key points
- The DA leader, Geordin Hill-Lewis, questions the effectiveness of President Cyril Ramaphosa's address on GBV, citing a lack of tangible changes to address the issue.
- The DA plans to strengthen municipal law enforcement capabilities and work with community organizations to prevent crime and protect communities.
- The ultimate goal is to create a country where women can live without fear of being attacked or murdered.
