LIVE: President Ramaphosa addresses nation on GBVF scourge

President Cyril Ramaphosa has unveiled a four-point plan aimed at addressing the alarming surge in gender-based violence and femicide cases in South Africa. Addressing the nation via a televised address, Ramaphosa tasked Acting Police Minister Firoz Cachalia and the Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development Mmamoloko Kubayi with initiating a national case recovery operation.

Within a 60-day timeframe, this operation will meticulously identify unresolved cases, those awaiting forensic evidence, suspects identified but not arrested, and instances of delayed investigative or prosecutorial action. In the subsequent 90 days, tailored recovery plans are to be devised for priority and stalled cases, specifying outstanding actions, responsible officials, and deadlines for progress.

Furthermore, a dedicated funding plan will be formulated to alleviate the backlog in forensic investigations. This plan will detail the backlog's size and age, personnel and equipment shortages, required resources, and timelines for reducing the backlog. Urgent processing of forensic samples, particularly in cases involving the rape or murder of women and children, will be prioritized. Ramaphosa emphasized that progress on these turnaround standards will be publicly reported on a quarterly basis.

In an additional measure, Ramaphosa directed the development of a plan to mitigate alcohol-related violence. While affirming that alcohol does not cause gender-based violence and can never justify it, he acknowledged that excessive alcohol consumption significantly exacerbates interpersonal violence. Therefore, addressing harmful alcohol use as part of a broader prevention strategy is crucial.

Women should not have to endure fear due to perceived government negligence in repairing public spaces, processing evidence, or enforcing laws. To combat this, municipalities are mandated to conduct safety audits in high-risk areas, collaborating with provincial governments and police forces. Within a 60-day period, these audits will identify issues such as broken streetlights, overgrown public spaces, abandoned buildings, unsafe transport routes, poorly secured parks, and other conditions posing risks to women's safety.