7,322 liquor inspections, 20 closures: Gauteng steps up crackdown amid GBV crisis

Gauteng authorities have inspected 7,322 liquor outlets and shut down 20 as part of intensified efforts to tackle alcohol-related violence and strengthen the fight against gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF).

The enforcement campaign has also resulted in 459 non-compliance notices being issued, while 566 outlets have been referred to the Liquor Inspectorate for further compliance inspections.

The figures, released by the Gauteng Provincial Government on Sunday, 1 November 2026, offer a glimpse into the scale of the province’s efforts to respond to the ongoing GBVF crisis.

The crackdown comes as government works against a 90-day deadline set by President Cyril Ramaphosa, who called for urgent action to address violence against women and children.

The President’s directives include resolving outstanding murder, attempted murder, rape and serious sexual offence cases, clearing forensic laboratory backlogs, auditing women's safety in high-risk areas and reducing alcohol-related violence.

Gauteng subsequently introduced a provincial action plan and added another priority: improving shelters and support services for survivors.

Thousands of inspections, but enforcement continues

Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi said that according to the provincial update, 41 joint enforcement operations have been conducted with relevant stakeholders, with further action planned against unlicensed liquor outlets, repeat offenders and businesses trading outside permitted hours.

Three of the eight directives under the alcohol-related violence workstream have been completed, while the remaining five are still being implemented.

Specialised warden training is expected to begin in early November.

The enforcement campaign is one part of a wider provincial effort to make communities safer, particularly in areas identified as high risk.

Women’s safety under the spotlight

Municipal safety audits are also progressing, with seven critical municipal tasks completed.

Johannesburg, Tshwane and Ekurhuleni have been reported as compliant with safety standards and submitting regular progress reports.

In Johannesburg, major risk zones have been mapped, while 10 hijacked or illegally occupied buildings have been prepared for public reuse.

Tshwane has cleared overgrown vegetation around high-risk transport stations, while Ekurhuleni has inspected taxi ranks and identified faulty CCTV systems for repairs.

Across the West Rand, municipalities have catalogued high-risk structures and neglected public spaces.

Most municipalities have completed between 60% and 80% of their safety audits, with the province saying urgent hazards must be repaired or included in funded action plans within 90 days.

The broader plan also includes deploying 1,022 GBV response teams across 122 high-risk areas.

Additional interventions include 56 social workers, the strengthening of seven specialised Sexual Offences Courts and 144 victim-friendly facilities, alongside the involvement of 19 Medical Legal Clinics to protect forensic evidence.

The fight for justice and evidence

While enforcement and safety interventions are underway, the handling of criminal cases remains a major concern.

The province has recovered crime kits from Thuthuzela Care Centres across its five districts and submitted them to the Forensic Science Laboratory for processing.

Investigating officers are now required to take crime kits to medical examinations to reduce delays and prevent evidence from being left behind.

An Identification Task Team has also been established to conduct a digital fingerprint audit of unidentified women and children.

However, several forensic interventions remain outstanding, including a baseline assessment of backlogs, age profiling and costed plans to reduce the delays.

These measures are targeted for completion by early November.

Are survivors getting the support they need?

Gauteng says it currently has 18 shelters with 363 beds, seven Thuthuzela Care Centres and expanded psychosocial support services.

Assistance has reached tens of thousands of people over the past six months, while new referral tools have been introduced across all 43 protection-order courts.

The province has also increased visible policing in high-risk areas, resolved technical problems with the e-Panic Button application and expanded integrated CCTV networks, while taking survivor privacy into account.

21 directives completed as deadline approaches

Of the 67 directives being tracked across five workstreams, 21 have been completed, 38 are underway and eight have yet to begin.

Four directives that previously showed no progress have now moved into implementation.

The Technical Steering Committee continues to meet weekly as the province works to meet.