Gauteng targets rape hotspots with 1,022 GBV response teams and more social workers
Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi has outlined plans to deploy 1,022 GBV response teams across 122 high-risk areas, targeting communities affected by rape and other violent crimes against women and children.
The Gauteng provincial government has announced a comprehensive strategy to combat gender-based violence (GBV) in high-risk areas, deploying 1,022 gender-based violence response teams and increasing the number of social workers. Premier Panyaza Lesufi outlined the measures during a meeting on November 1, following President Cyril Ramaphosa's directive to address GBV and femicide (GBVF) in the province.
The intervention plan includes strengthening specialized courts, enhancing victim support services, and improving forensic evidence handling. Additionally, seven specialized Sexual Offences Courts and 144 victim-friendly facilities will be established. Gauteng has identified 10 police stations with the highest numbers of rape cases for targeted intervention, including Rietgat, Alexandra, Mamelodi, Diepsloot, Ivory Park, Dobsonville, Midrand, and Tembisa.
The province currently offers 18 shelters with 363 beds and seven Thuthuzela Care Centres, with psychosocial support services reaching tens of thousands of individuals in the past six months. While the government has made progress in implementing 21 of 67 directives across five priority areas, challenges remain in addressing forensic backlogs and accelerating municipal safety interventions.
Lesufi emphasized that protecting women and children demands immediate action, stating that delayed justice is no justice at all and vowed to monitor implementation through weekly meetings and progress reports.
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