Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi has announced a sweeping provincial response to gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF), including a 60-day audit of unresolved cases involving women and children, increased resources for high-risk police stations and the deployment of more than 1,000 GBV brigades.
The measures form part of the province’s response to President Cyril Ramaphosa’s national address on GBVF on 29 September and were announced following an urgent Intergovernmental Relations meeting involving provincial leaders, executive mayors, municipal managers and national government ministers.
Lesufi said the province would establish a single tracking and reporting mechanism to monitor progress weekly across municipal, provincial and national government structures.
“The mechanism is intended to improve accountability, reduce duplication and identify gaps requiring further intervention”. the premier said.
A key component of the plan is a full provincial audit of unresolved murders, attempted murders, rapes and serious sexual offences involving women and children.
The audit is expected to be completed within 60 days and will examine the age of cases, forensic backlogs, suspects who have not been arrested and delays in investigations or prosecutions.
Within 90 days, every priority or stalled case is expected to have an individual recovery plan, with specific actions, responsible officials and deadlines.
The work will be led jointly by the Gauteng MEC for Community Safety and the provincial police commissioner, together with the National Prosecuting Authority.
The provincial government will also assess the extent and age of its forensic backlog, including shortages of personnel and equipment.
Priority DNA and forensic samples linked to the rape and murder of women and children will be ring-fenced for urgent processing, with turnaround standards to be established and progress reported publicly every quarter.
Lesufi has instructed every municipality in Gauteng to begin safety audits of high-risk areas within seven days.
“The audits will focus on hazards such as broken streetlights, overgrown areas, abandoned buildings, unsafe transport routes and poorly secured parks,” he said.
“Urgent hazards must either be addressed within 90 days of the completion of each audit or placed on a funded implementation plan with clear deadlines. We will also intensify enforcement against unlicensed liquor outlets and after-hours trading as part of efforts to address alcohol-related violence,” Lesufi added.
Additional resources will be directed to the ten police stations recording the highest volume of rape cases in Gauteng.
Among the stations identified are Rietgat, Alexandra, Mamelodi, Diepsloot, Ivory Park, Dobsonville, Redhill, Midrand and Thembisa, among others.
“1,022 GBV brigades would be deployed across 122 high-risk police precincts, while 56 additional social workers would be added to the Department of Social Development. Support will also be strengthened at seven specialised sexual offences courts, which have 144 victim-friendly rooms, while 19 medical-legal clinics will be brought in to help prevent the loss of forensic evidence,” Lesufi said during a briefing on Friday morning.
The province plans to use technology, including the e-Panic Button and integrated CCTV networks, to improve emergency response times.
Lesufi’s said previous technical problems with the e-Panic Button had been resolved and encouraged residents to download the application.
He stressed, however, that technology would support rather than replace policing, social services and community interventions.
The provincial government also acknowledged the role of civil society organisations in responding to GBVF and said it would expand partnerships with organisations providing shelters, counselling and legal assistance.
The private sector is also being engaged to adopt workplace policies and support public awareness campaigns.
“We will seek additional funding through the Medium-Term Budget Policy Statement for Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Units, Sexual Offences Courts, Thuthuzela Care Centres and shelters,” said Lesufi.
The province has committed to releasing its first consolidated baseline report by 9 October, followed by quarterly public progress reports.
The province has also launched coordinated weekly by-law enforcement operations across all municipalities.
According to the premier, the operations began on 1 October and will bring together municipalities and law-enforcement agencies to address illegal activities, non-compliance and other practices affecting the safety and orderly functioning of communities.
Lesufi has called on men and boys, families, schools, workplaces and faith-based organisations to reject violence, support survivors and break the silence around abuse.
“The upcoming 16 Days of Activism campaign should move beyond simply fighting GBV and femicide but should also move towards “16 days of peace, support and recovery.”