Additional funding, personnel to support GBVF survivors: Lesufi

Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi announced additional funding and personnel to bolster support for survivors of gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF) in the province. Addressing an audience in Johannesburg, Lesufi revealed plans to strengthen 131 Green Doors and provide assistance to 115 NGOs. He also announced that over 1 000 GBVF brigades would receive extra support and be deployed across 122 police precincts, aimed at proactive monitoring.

These measures align with President Cyril Ramaphosa's directives following recent high-profile GBVF incidents. Lesufi added that the provincial government, backed by national government and all municipalities, is committed to executing the directives. To address the issue, the Gauteng Department of Social Development will add 56 social workers to bolster support for GBVF task forces.

Meanwhile, Gauteng Provincial Police Commissioner Lieutenant General Tommy Mthombeni shared updates on the police's response to GBVF cases. Mthombeni reported that the police have resolved three of the 12 cases of women whose bodies were found in Ekurhuleni. He also mentioned that investigators have identified potential suspects in three other cases in Kempton Park and are actively pursuing them. Three of the 12 recovered bodies are still unidentified.

Mthombeni highlighted the deployment of specialized investigators, forensic experts, and an investigative psychologist to aid in the ongoing investigations. Additionally, he emphasized the availability of a R400 000 reward for information that could help resolve the remaining outstanding cases.