From broken streetlights to stalled cases: Ramaphosa outlines four GBV immediate measures

From broken streetlights to stalled cases: Ramaphosa outlines four GBV immediate measures Zandile.Khumalo Tue, 09/29/2026 - 21:15

JOHANNESBURG - For families still waiting for answers about their loved one who's gone missing, women who fear to walk home after dark, and survivors whose cases have stalled, President Cyril Ramaphosa has put government departments on the clock.

During a national address on Tuesday night, Ramaphosa announced four immediate measures to deal with gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF) in the country.

Deadlines in these measures ranged from 60 days to 90 days.

The first intervention outlined was a national case recovery operation into unresolved murders, attempted murders, rapes and serious sexual offences involving women and children.

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He directed this measure to the Minister of Police and the Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development, working with the South African Police Service and the National Prosecuting Authority.

Ramaphosa said within 60 days they must establish the number and age of unresolved cases, cases awaiting forensic evidence, cases in which suspects have been identified but not arrested, and cases in which investigative or prosecutorial action has been unreasonably delayed.

And within 90 days, he said they are to outline what he called an individual recovery plan for priority cases and cases that have been stalled.

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The second intervention targeted one of the biggest obstacles to criminal investigation: Forensic backlogs.

Ramaphosa, as such, instructed the Minister of Police, the National Commissioner of Police and the relevant forensic authorities to present “a funded plan to reduce forensic backlogs and establish clear turnaround standards for priority gender-based violence and femicide cases" within 60 days.

Additionally, he said priority forensic samples in cases involving the rape or murder of women and children must be ring-fenced for urgent processing.

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Ramaphosa’s measures of fighting GBV went beyond courtrooms and police stations.

He also put municipalities to the task of ensuring women’s safety through audits

“High-risk areas must be identified, working with provincial governments and the police. Within sixty days, these audits must identify broken streetlights, overgrown public spaces, abandoned buildings, unsafe transport routes and facilities, poorly secured parks and other conditions that place women at risk,”

Municipalities are expected to draw up a funded implementation plan with clear completion dates after completing audits, Ramaphosa added.

And finally, the President turned his attention to alcohol-related violence.

**“Alcohol does not cause gender-based violence, and it can never excuse it. Responsibility always lies with the perpetrator. But harmful alcohol use is a significant aggravating factor in interpersonal violence, and it must be addressed as part of our wider prevention effort." **

As such, Ramaphosa directed the Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition, working with the Ministers of Health, Social Development, Police and Cooperative Governance, to submit to Cabinet within 60 days a coordinated legislative and enforcement package to reduce alcohol-related violence.

“Provincial and municipal authorities must intensify enforcement of existing liquor laws and by-laws, particularly against unlicensed outlets and establishments that trade outside permitted hours.”