‘It is very insulting for the president to invoke their names’: EFF slams Ramaphosa’s latest ‘family meeting’
Ramaphosa has announced a four-point plan to deal with the scourge of GBVF.
The EFF has harshly criticized President Cyril Ramaphosa's recent nationwide address, known as the "family meeting," describing it as "reactionary." This came after Ramaphosa briefed the nation on Tuesday night about new measures to combat gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF). He outlined a four-point plan, including timelines and the need to address the backlog in personnel, equipment, and resources.
The president specifically called for priority processing of forensic samples in cases involving the rape or murder of women and children, with progress to be reported publicly every quarter.
Amidst growing concerns over the discovery of ten lifeless bodies of women in the City of Ekurhuleni, the EFF argues that Ramaphosa's decision to address the nation only after public outcry and the revelation of these horrific killings demonstrates a government that only responds to public outrage, rather than proactively preventing violence against women.
Thembi Msane, the EFF's spokesperson, asserts that the women whose lives were taken did not become victims merely because their bodies were discovered; they were victims long before their deaths due to failures of institutions meant to protect them. Msane also criticizes the government's handling of GBVF cases, stating that there appears to be no political will to address the abuse of women decisively.
She emphasizes that South Africa does not lack information about GBVF but rather suffers from a lack of political will, institutional capacity, and accountability.
In response to Ramaphosa's address, the ANC in Johannesburg expressed approval, labeling the interventions as "decisive." The party stated that the African National Congress (ANC) Greater Joburg Region welcomes the president's call to intensify the fight against GBVF and places the safety of women and girls at the forefront of state and societal responsibilities.
They particularly highlight the directive for municipalities to conduct women's safety audits, hoping these actions will lead to tangible improvements in communities.
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