JOHANNESBURG – South Africa is grappling with the alarming issue of violence against women and children, a situation that requires a concerted effort from law enforcement, government, and society. This was the central message from Police Minister General Bheki Cele, who released the crime statistics for the second quarter of 2023/2024 on Friday. According to the report, there has been a 35.9% decline in contact sexual offenses, with 10,516 rape cases reported and investigated by police from July to September 2023.
According to South African Government News Agency, While the statistics indicate a decrease in the number of women and children killed during this period (by 10.9% and 7.0% respectively), Cele expressed deep concern over the safety of these vulnerable groups. Many of the crimes occurred in settings where victims should feel safe, often at the hands of people they know and trust. The report highlighted that 4,726 rape incidents took place in the homes of victims or perpetrators, often involving a family member, friend, or neighbor.
In the same quarter, there were 1,514 reported incidents of attempted murder involving female victims and 14,401 incidents of assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm (GBH). Children, too, have been victims of these brutal attacks and abuse, with 293 children reportedly killed, 361 attempted murder incidents, and 1,820 cases of assault GBH against children reported.
Cele condemned the continued violence and attacks on women, children, the elderly, and the most vulnerable, labeling them as shameful. He cited the recent stabbing of a female student at Western Cape University in broad daylight as an example of the ongoing crisis. The South African Police Service (SAPS) is intensifying its efforts to combat gender-based violence (GBV) by tracing and arresting perpetrators, including serial offenders and rapists. Successful police operations have led to the identification and arrest of 27 sexual predators in the country and the sentencing of Mario Giusti to 6,400 years in jail for over 1,000 charges of child pornography.
The Ministry is also engaging in crime prevention programs, such as community dialogues targeting men, who are largely the perpetrators of GBV. Cele noted the importance of the availability of evidence collection kits, improved support services at stations for survivors of sexual violence, and the clearance of the historic DNA backlog, which stood at over 240,000 two years ago. SAPS forensic laboratories are functioning optimally, with essential contracts and supplies in place.
Additionally, GBV desks at police stations across the country are now staffed with officers trained in GBVF-related courses, victim empowerment, domestic violence, and sexual offenses-related programs. These policy interventions represent a multi-faceted approach to tackling the scourge of GBVF in South Africa.