Levels of GBV is unconscionable, says Cachalia

Gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF) featured prominently during this year’s State of the Nation Address and the parliamentary debate that followed, carrying added weight after government designated GBVF as a national disaster late last year.

In his address, President Cyril Ramaphosa reiterated the significance of that decision, framing it as a mechanism to intensify the state’s response.

“Last year, we classified gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF) as a national disaster,” he said, adding that the designation enables government to “better coordinate our response and direct efforts towards the most impactful interventions.”

Building on the National Strategic Plan on GBVF, Ramaphosa committed to mobilising all sectors of society to challenge harmful attitudes and practices, while strengthening the criminal justice system. He pledged “faster investigation, improved case management, expanded sexual offences courts and action against repeat offenders”, alongside scaling up survivor-centred support services, including shelters, one-stop service centres, rural outreach programmes and the placement of social workers at police stations.

The tone was reinforced during the parliamentary debate. Acting Police Minister Firoz Cachalia underscored the severity of the crisis:

“The levels of gender-based violence, rape and feminicide is unconscionable. By classifying this a national disaster, the President has provided us with the impetus to tackle this issue with renewed vigour.”

Government representatives pointed to ongoing efforts to enhance investigative capacity, improve coordination between police and prosecutors, and expand specialised sexual offences courts as part of the intensified response. The disaster designation, they said, is intended to sharpen accountability and ensure more aligned implementation across departments.

However, opposition MPs argued that while the classification signals urgency, the SONA offered limited operational detail on timelines, measurable targets and funding allocations. Questions were raised about forensic turnaround times, the availability of shelters outside major urban centres and the pace at which existing commitments are being implemented.

Civil society organisations similarly welcomed the elevated status of GBVF but called for clarity on how the disaster framework will translate into tangible outcomes. Some groups have urged government to ensure that budget allocations reflect the scale of the crisis and provide sustained support for prevention initiatives and survivor services.

Recent crime statistics continue to reflect high levels of reported sexual offences and domestic violence, reinforcing the urgency that dominated debate across party lines.

As Parliament moves towards the 2026 national Budget, attention is expected to shift from commitments to delivery and whether the strengthened language around GBVF will be matched by sustained resources, coordinated action and measurable impact.

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