Category: English

In a bid to ensure that cases involving violence against women and children are not stalled, President Cyril Ramaphosa announced a four-point recovery plan to ensure that cases are processed and that perpetrators are brought to book.

Addressing the nation on Tuesday evening, the President announced that he has directed the Acting Minister of Police, Professor Firoz Cachalia and Justice and Constitutional Development Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi to undertake a national case-recovery operation focused on unresolved murders, attempted murders, rapes and serious sexual offences involving women and children.

He said individual recovery plans must be in place for priority cases as well as cases that have stalled.

“Within 60 days, this audit must identify 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,” the President explained.

READ | Cases of murdered Ekurhuleni women will not go cold

Each plan, he said, must identify the outstanding action, the responsible official and the deadline for moving the case forward.

President Ramaphosa said he has also directed the Minister Cachalia, the Acting National Commissioner of Police Lieutenant General Puleng Dimpane, and the relevant forensic authorities to present, within 60 days, a funded plan to reduce forensic backlogs and establish clear turnaround standards for priority gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF) cases.

“The plan must set out the size and age of the backlog, shortages of personnel and equipment, the resources required and the dates by which the backlog will be reduced.

Priority forensic samples in cases involving the rape or murder of women and children must be ring-fenced for urgent processing. Progress against the turnaround standards must be reported publicly every quarter,” the President said.

The President also announced that every municipality must begin a women’s safety audit without delay.
“High-risk areas must be identified working with provincial governments and the police. Within 60 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.

“Within 90 days of completing the audit, the most urgent hazards must have been addressed or included in a funded implementation plan with clear completion dates.”

The President has also directed the Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition, Parks Tau, 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.

“Alcohol does not cause gender-based violence [GBV] 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.

“Women should not have to live in fear because government has failed to repair a light, clear a public space, process evidence or enforce a law. Every sphere of government must understand that the safety of women is part of its responsibility,” the President said. 

He further added that every sphere of government must understand that the safety of women is part of its responsibility.
Progress reports
In addition, the Inter-Ministerial Committee and the National Council on Gender-Based Violence and Femicide will monitor these measures and issue consolidated public progress reports every quarter.

Speaking at the Union Buildings in Pretoria, the President said the first consolidated report must be issued within ninety days, with public progress reports every quarter thereafter, while also stressing that the directives “are not just a statement of good intentions.”

These, he said, establish responsibilities, deadlines and a duty to submit reports on a regular basis to the nation.

The directives support the accelerated implementation of key pillars of the National Strategic Plan on Gender-Based Violence and Femicide, which continues to guide the work underway across all spheres of government and all parts of society.

“We must prevent the violence before it starts because programmes, stronger laws, additional resources and more police officers will not, on their own, end violence against women.”

Attitudes and role players
He said attitudes that women are inferior and the belief that a man has the right to control a woman, among others, are not helpful.
 
“It begins when a man refuses to accept the word no. We must confront the uncomfortable, devastating truth that the primary GBV hotspot is in the home and in interpersonal relationships.”

READ | Violence against women “inhuman”, says President Ramaphosa

This as a national study by the South African Medical Research Council found that more than 60% of the women murdered in 2021 and 2022 were killed by an intimate partner.

He said the prevention of violence against women must begin at home.
“It must begin with how we raise our sons; with what boys learn about girls, anger, rejection and consent, and with what they learn from watching the men around them.”

He said the country has placed the burden of male violence on women.

“For too long, gender-based violence has been treated as a women’s problem to solve. That must change.”

He indicated that the freedom promised by the Constitution cannot be a freedom enjoyed fully by men and cautiously by women.

“It is time for good men to stop being silent men. We salute the many South African men who are already speaking out, including prominent figures such as Siya Kolisi and Temba Bavuma, who have used their public platforms to urge men to confront violence against women and to become better men.”

The President has directed the Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture to strengthen the work of the Moral Regeneration Movement and to ensure that it contributes meaningfully to changing the attitudes, social norms and practices that enable violence against women.

He also acknowledged the work of faith-based organisations, community organisations, women’s and youth formations, educational institutions, traditional leaders and many other structures that confront gender-based violence every day. –SAnews.gov.za 

 

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President Cyril Ramaphosa has assured the families of the women who have been brutally killed and whose bodies were discovered in Ekurhuleni that their cases will not be allowed to go cold.

“The state is bringing together its available capabilities to establish what happened and to identify those responsible,” President Ramaphosa said on Tuesday night.

The country has been rocked by the discovery of the bodies of several women in and around Ekurhuleni in Gauteng. This came after the body of another woman was found in Springs, Gauteng on Sunday. The discovery brought to 11 the number of women’s bodies found in Ekurhuleni since July.

Addressing the nation on the killing of women in and around Ekurhuleni since July, President Ramaphosa said government will continue to provide the public with information as investigations progress without compromising the investigations or the rights of those involved.

“I appeal to members of the public. If you know something, say something. If you have reason to fear that something is wrong, report it immediately. Hours matter. Information matters. A photograph matters. A vehicle registration number matters,” President Ramaphosa said, appealing to community members who might have information on the killing of the women to contact the police.

READ | Violence against women “inhuman”, says President Ramaphosa

He said a message, a telephone call or an observation that seems insignificant may provide the clue investigators need.
Alongside the investigations, police visibility has also increased in Ekurhuleni, with the President saying these operations will continue “as long as they are required”.

“But we must be clear. We cannot police our way out of gender-based violence alone. We cannot arrest our way out of this crisis alone. And we cannot wait until a woman is murdered before the state intervenes.

“Our task must be to prevent the violence before it happens. As a government, we are determined that attention and resources be directed at all parts of the country where women are under siege from gender-based violence,” the President said.

President Ramaphosa said since gender-based violence and femicide [GBVF]was classified as a national disaster last year, government has reprioritised resources and strengthened coordination across the criminal justice system and survivor-support services.

The National Council on Gender-Based Violence and Femicide is now operational and has a responsibility to coordinate and drive the national response.  The inaugural meeting of the Council’s Board was held in Pretoria in August 2026.

READ | Keeping the fight against GBVF alive

“Resources have been allocated to strengthen the Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Units,” President Ramaphosa said.

In addition, more resources will be allocated by the Minister of Finance in the Medium-Term Budget Policy Statement, which will be tabled on 21 October 2026.

Government is also expanding  Sexual Offences Courts, and Thuthuzela Care Centres continue to provide medical, forensic, counselling and legal services to survivors. Shelter services are being expanded, while the processing of DNA and forensic evidence is being strengthened.

The law is also being tightened to make it more difficult for perpetrators of gender-based violence (GBV) and domestic abuse to obtain bail.

“Across the country, police stations have established Victim Friendly Services and GBV desks. Police officers continue to receive proactive training on issues related to gender-based violence,” the President said.

He further added that a woman who summons the courage to report abuse must not be turned away from a police station.

“A woman seeking a protection order must not be sent from office to office. A protection order must not become merely a piece of paper while an abuser continues to threaten his victim.

“A forensic sample must not sit unprocessed while a perpetrator remains free. A case must not collapse because a docket has been lost, an investigation has been poorly conducted, or a survivor has been treated without dignity. Where the state fails women, we must hold ourselves accountable and correct those failures,” the President said. –SAnews.gov.za 

 

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President Cyril Ramaphosa has described the violence meted out against the country’s women as inhuman while adding that a specialised multidisciplinary investigation into the killing of women has been elevated to the national level. 

“The violence being perpetrated against women in this country is inhuman. Behind each of these terrible deaths was a human being, a daughter, a mother, a sister, a friend whose life had value, whose future mattered and whose absence has left a family and a community grieving,” President Ramaphosa said.

The President’s address came as the body of another woman was found in Springs, Gauteng on Sunday.
The discovery brought to 11 the number of women’s bodies found in Ekurhuleni since July.

“Across our country, women are living with the terrible fear that they may be next. Yet here we are, once more having to confront the terrible reality of violence against women in our country.

“We must confront an uncomfortable truth. What we have done has not been enough. We need to do much more. It has not been enough to prevent women from being killed.”

It has not been enough to change the attitudes and behaviour that enable violence against women. As government, we must do better. As a society, we must do better,” the President said.

President Ramaphosa said the killings of women are receiving attention at the highest level of government and law enforcement.

“A specialised multidisciplinary investigation has been elevated to the national level under the coordination of the Deputy National Commissioner for Detective Services [of the South African Police Service]. 

“The investigation brings together detectives, crime intelligence, forensic specialists, investigative psychologists, digital investigators and other specialised capabilities,” the President said.

Arrests have already been made in connection with some of the murders, as police arrested a suspect in connection with the killing of Ntombifuthi Nxumalo, whose body was found on Saturday. The arrest was made on Sunday.

“Two suspects have been arrested and have appeared in court in connection with the killing of Jabulile Ntimba. A suspect is in custody in connection with the murder of Busisiwe Mahlangu.

“In the other cases, police have identified persons of interest and collected forensic material, including DNA, blood samples, clothing, cellphones and cellphone records,” the President said.

As part of the investigations, President Ramaphosa said the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, the CSIR, is assisting with the digital forensic investigation.

“There has understandably been widespread fear that the discovery of these women in close proximity could indicate the work of a single perpetrator. At present, the police have not found evidence establishing that these killings were committed by a single perpetrator. All possibilities remain under investigation,” the President said. 

Tribute to women
President Ramaphosa said the violence inflicted upon the women of South Africa is a source of profound pain and national shame.

“I also speak as a man, as a husband and as a father to daughters. But no man should look away from the violence to which women in our country are subjected.

“The nation is angry. The women of South Africa are angry. Their anger is justified.  I share that anger,” the President said in his address to the nation on Tuesday night.

The President paid tribute to:
Busisiwe Mahlangu
Itumeleng Kekana
Nomfesane Mjobo
Gracious Nkomo
Elizabeth Moselakgomo
Dineo Motapane
Jabulile Ntimba and
Ntombifuthi Nxumalo

Beyond Ekurhuleni, the President said the nation mourns 10-year-old Octavia Swarts from Kraaifontein.
The President also paid tribute to Nomakhwezi Zitha from Delft, Taymin Platt from Eersterust, Josephine Tshabalala from Orlando East and Siyavuya Mlunguza from Komani.

The President also paid tribute to Mariette Mouton, a 73-year-old Bredasdorp grandmother, security officer at the University of Limpopo, Christina Nyalungu, and Sibongile Mdali from Richmond.

The President also mentioned 15-year-old Amogelang Motshwaedi from Dinokana village, Pinky Shelembe and Ntombizana Mbanjwa from Richmond and Amanda Kosani from Port Alfred, who was killed on Women’s Day.

In his address from the Union Buildings, the President said these are only some of the women and girls whose lives have been taken in recent weeks. 

‘Theirs are the names we know. There are others whose names we do not yet know,” he said. –SAnews.gov.za

 

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Cabinet has encouraged communities to monitor warnings issued by the South African Weather Service (SAWS) given the current severe weather conditions across the country. 

“Communities are encouraged to monitor warnings issued by the South African Weather Service and follow the guidance of disaster management authorities, particularly in areas at risk of flooding, strong winds, hail and other hazardous conditions,” Cabinet said in a statement on Tuesday.

In its statement, government said it continues to monitor severe weather conditions across the country.

“Climate change is contributing to an increase in the frequency and intensity of severe weather events. Provincial and municipal authorities to remain on high alert, strengthen preparedness measures and ensure that emergency response plans are activated where necessary,” it said.

The SAWS has warned that severe thunderstorms could bring heavy downpours, strong, damaging winds, hail and excessive lightning to parts of the country.

READ | SAWS warns of heavy rain, damaging winds and hail

SAWS said the weather conditions may cause localised damage to settlements and infrastructure in North West, Gauteng, the Mpumalanga Highveld, south-western Limpopo, the northern Free State and the far north-eastern parts of the Northern Cape. –SAnews.gov.za 

 

 

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