Multi-Party Women’s Caucus calls for implementation of plans to fight gender-based violence

“In recent years, the government has witnessed the fast deterioration of some of its most important assets required to improve the quality of life of the people.”

The Multi-Party Women’s Caucus held a constructive meeting with several government stakeholders on how to provide responsive services in their fight against gender-based violence (GBV), particularly for the victims, writes Rajaa Azzakani.

The committee received virtual briefings recently from several structures on the integration of the criminal justice information systems; effective functioning of sexual offences courts and Thuthuzela care centres; measures in place (including training of personnel) to ensure victim-responsive services and the effective investigation and prosecution of reported GBV cases; status report on the DNA backlogs and availability of testing kits at police stations. Presentations were made by the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), the South African Police Service (SAPS), the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development (DJCD) and the South African Judicial Education Institute (SAJEI).

The DJCD informed the committee that it is developing more childand teenager-friendly courts, but that the current Thuthuzela care centres (TCCs), where rape survivors can find assistance, are still underfunded and have insufficient staff. The NPA said it is battling to keep the 55 Thuthuzela care centres functioning optimally. Acting Special Director Mr Pierre Smith confirmed this, but said that with the funding allocated from the Criminal Asset Recovery Account, they hope to be able to open six more centres in the coming financial year.

Mr Smith said more than half of the victims are children and almost all of them were sexually assaulted. During the first quarter of the year,

there was a decline in the finalisation of GBV cases due to the national lockdown, but since the lockdown regulations have been relaxed, this figure increased substantially. Since October, 132 cases were finalised, and according to the NPA report, the number has been increasing compared to August where only 67 cases were finalised. The committee was told that there was an increase of 97% in the performance of the courts on GBV cases.

Committee members Ms Judy Hermans and Wilma Newhoudt-Druchen both appealed for a “great footprint” for the TCCs, as victims in some areas have to travel long distances to reach their nearest centre. The SAPS told the committee that it is working towards a genderbased violence desk at every police station, with staff who are properly trained and rape kits available at every station.

The lack of rape kits at police stations has been raised many times by Members of Parliament (MPs). Lieutenant General Moeketsi Sempe assured MPs that thousands of rape kits have been sourced and will be available. “So we can assure the committee that during the course of the festive season, no police station will be without rape kits.”

On the DNA backlog, the committee was assured that although challenges remain, the backlog is receiving attention with several interventions in place.

In welcoming the presentations, the Chairperson of the committee, Ms Nkhensani Kate Bilankulu, commended the plans but emphasised the importance of implementing them. She called on SAPS to provide support to GBV victims on a sustainable basis. She said the committee will closely monitor the implementation of the plans, as GBV in South Africa has the status of a pandemic.