GBVF: Gauteng ramps up interventions, but forensic backlogs remain – Lesufi
On Sunday, Lesufi updated the public on the province's response to the Presidential directives on GBV.
Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi has provided an update on the province's efforts to combat gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF). President Cyril Ramaphosa recently issued four directives, including clearing forensic laboratory backlogs and auditing women's safety in high-risk areas. The Gauteng government has made significant strides in implementing these directives.
Extra support has been provided to 10 police stations with the highest numbers of rape cases, and 1,022 GBVF response teams have been deployed across 122 high-risk areas. The province has also added 56 social workers, strengthened seven specialized Sexual Offences Courts, and 144 victim-friendly facilities. Furthermore, the province's 19 Medical Legal Clinics have been fully involved to safeguard forensic evidence.
Despite these accomplishments, Lesufi acknowledged that challenges remain, particularly with forensic backlogs. The provincial government has established an Identification Task Team to address unidentified women and children's cases and secure priority DNA and forensic samples for focused attention. However, a forensic backlog baseline assessment and age profiling are still pending, with completion targeted for early November.
The Gauteng government remains committed to transparent reporting, swiftly resolving obstacles, and maintaining seamless coordination between provincial and national leadership to ensure the safety of women and children.
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