Ramaphosa announces urgent measures to tackle GBVF
The President paid tribute to the women and girls who have recently lost their lives across the country
President Cyril Ramaphosa has announced a series of urgent interventions to strengthen South Africa’s response to gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF) following the discovery of 11 women’s bodies in Ekurhuleni since July.
Addressing the nation on Tuesday evening, the President described the violence against women as a “source of profound pain and national shame”, saying government and society had not done enough to protect women and girls.
“I share the anger. I share the grief at lives so cruelly and senselessly cut short,” Ramaphosa said.
The President paid tribute to the women and girls who have recently lost their lives across the country, including victims from Ekurhuleni, the Western Cape, Limpopo, North West, KwaZulu-Natal and the Eastern Cape. He said behind every victim was a daughter, mother, sister or friend whose life mattered.
Ramaphosa confirmed that a specialised multidisciplinary investigation into the Ekurhuleni murders has been elevated to national level under the coordination of the South African Police Service’s Deputy National Commissioner for Detective Services. The investigation includes detectives, Crime Intelligence, forensic experts, investigative psychologists and digital investigators.
He said arrests have already been made in several of the murder cases. A suspect has been arrested in connection with the killing of Ntombifuthi Nxumalo, while two suspects have appeared in court over the murder of Jabulile Ntimba. Another suspect remains in custody for the murder of Busisiwe Mahlangu.
The President said police have not yet found evidence that all the killings were committed by a single perpetrator, although all possibilities remain under investigation.
“We will continue to provide the public with information as the investigations progress, without compromising the investigations or the rights of those involved,” he said.
Ramaphosa urged the public to report missing persons immediately, stressing that there is no requirement to wait 24 hours before opening a missing persons case.
“Hours matter. Information matters. A photograph matters. A vehicle registration number matters,” he said.
While increased police visibility has been deployed across Ekurhuleni, Ramaphosa said policing alone would not solve the country’s GBVF crisis.
He announced four immediate government measures:
A national case-recovery operation to review unresolved murders, rapes and serious sexual offences involving women and children, with an audit to be completed within 60 days.
A funded plan to reduce forensic backlogs and speed up DNA processing for GBVF cases.
Women’s safety audits in every municipality to identify dangerous public spaces, broken streetlights, abandoned buildings and other hazards.
A coordinated legislative and enforcement package aimed at reducing alcohol-related violence.
Ramaphosa also said government would continue expanding Sexual Offences Courts, Thuthuzela Care Centres, shelter services and resources for Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences units.
Addressing South African men directly, the President called on them to become active participants in ending violence against women.
“It is time for good men to stop being silent men,” he said.
He urged men to challenge abusive behaviour among friends, colleagues and relatives, adding that responsibility for violence always lies with the perpetrator.
“No woman causes herself to be abused. No item of clothing causes rape. No rejection justifies violence,” Ramaphosa said.
The President also directed the Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture to strengthen the Moral Regeneration Movement to help change attitudes and social norms that enable violence against women.
Concluding his address, Ramaphosa called on all South Africans to work together to end gender-based violence and ensure future generations do not face the same crisis.
“Seven years from now, no President should have to stand before this nation and say these same words again. Let that be the commitment we make tonight,” he said.
