Slain Lusanda Mathabela’s father criticises Ramaphosa’s GBVF plan

Lusanda Mathabela's father has criticized President Cyril Ramaphosa's latest speech addressing the country's gender-based violence and femicide crisis. Mathabela, a 19-year-old from Mpumalanga, was stabbed to death at her home in November 2025 by her ex-boyfriend and friend. Given Mathabela, Lusanda's father, expressed concern that the government's response lacks a clear plan to tackle gender-based violence and femicide.

He stated that there are cases from 2024 that are only going to the High Court in 2027, leading to a sense of secondary victimisation by the system. Despite numerous appearances in court, Given felt that there were no real solutions and accused the government of commissioning committees on GBV without providing tangible action. Ramaphosa announced a four-point plan to address the high rate of GBVF, directing Acting Police Minister Firoz Cachalia and the Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development Mmamoloko Kubayi to launch a national case recovery operation.

However, Given believed that the speech lacked content and heart, and suggested that the president should have committed to providing psychological support for families dealing with the aftermath of GBVF.