Gauteng sets weekly GBVF tracking system as province ramps up safety response

The Gauteng government has announced a coordinated provincial response to gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF), including weekly monitoring of unresolved cases, forensic backlogs, municipal safety hazards and policing resources.

The announcement follows an urgent Intergovernmental Relations (IGR) meeting held on Friday, 2 October, after President Cyril Ramaphosa addressed the nation on GBVF on 29 September.

The meeting brought together provincial leaders, executive mayors, municipal managers and national government ministers to map out how the President’s directives would be implemented across Gauteng.

A key outcome is the establishment of a single tracking and reporting mechanism that will allow progress to be monitored weekly from municipalities through to provincial and national government.

The province said the system is intended to strengthen accountability, reduce duplication and identify gaps requiring intervention.

60-day audit of unresolved GBVF cases

Among the key measures is a provincial audit of unresolved murders, attempted murders, rapes and serious sexual offences involving women and children.

The audit is expected to be completed within 60 days and will examine the age of cases, forensic backlogs, suspects who have not yet been arrested and delays in investigations or prosecutions.

Within 90 days, every priority or stalled case is expected to have an individual recovery plan with specific actions, responsible officials and deadlines.

The MEC for Community Safety and the Gauteng Provincial Commissioner will lead the work with the National Prosecuting Authority, while respecting prosecutorial independence.

The province will also assess its forensic backlog, including staff and equipment shortages, and ring-fence priority DNA and forensic samples linked to rape and murder cases involving women and children.

Municipalities given seven days to identify safety risks

Every municipality in Gauteng has been instructed to begin safety audits of high-risk areas within seven days.

The audits will identify hazards such as broken streetlights, overgrown areas, abandoned buildings, unsafe transport routes and poorly secured parks.

The province said urgent hazards must either be addressed or placed on a funded implementation plan within 90 days of each audit.

Progress will be published to allow communities to track interventions.

The province also announced plans, in partnership with Eskom and City Power, to install and electrify more than 140 transformers across Gauteng as part of efforts to strengthen electricity infrastructure.

Focus on alcohol-related violence

Gauteng will also support a coordinated legislative and enforcement package targeting alcohol-related violence, which is expected to go to Cabinet within 60 days.

Municipalities and provincial departments will intensify enforcement of liquor licensing regulations, including action against unlicensed outlets and after-hours trading.

Weekly by-law enforcement operations began across Gauteng on Thursday, 1 October, bringing municipalities and law enforcement agencies together to target illegal activities and non-compliance.

More resources for high-risk police stations

The province has resolved to prioritise additional resources for the 10 police stations recording the highest volume of rape cases.

Among those identified are Rietgat, Alexandra, Mamelodi, Diepsloot, Ivory Park, Dobsonville, Redhill, Midrand and Thembisa, among others.

Gauteng will also strengthen support at seven specialised sexual offences courts, which have a combined 144 victim-friendly rooms.

The province is bringing in 19 Medical Legal Clinics to help prevent the loss of forensic evidence and will strengthen SAPS GBV desks.

A total of 1,022 GBV brigades will be deployed across 122 high-risk police precincts, while the Department of Social Development will add 56 social workers.

Places of safety and technology

The provincial government has added a fifth core intervention focused on strengthening existing places of safety for vulnerable women.

An audit will examine available facilities, buildings, staffing and funding gaps, with the aim of ensuring survivors know where to access assistance and that facilities have the resources they require.

Gauteng will also continue using technology such as the e-Panic Button and integrated CCTV networks to improve emergency response times.

The province said previous technical problems with the e-Panic Button have been resolved and encouraged residents to download the application again.

It stressed, however, that technology should complement rather than replace policing, social services and community-based interventions.

First progress report due next week

The province said it will release its first consolidated baseline report by 9 October, followed by public progress reports every quarter.

It will also seek additional funding through the Medium-Term Budget Policy Statement for Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Units, Sexual Offences Courts, Thuthuzela Care Centres and shelters.

Gauteng said it would strengthen partnerships with civil society organisations providing shelters, counselling and legal assistance, while also engaging the private sector on workplace policies and public awareness campaigns.

The provincial government also called on men and boys, families, schools, workplaces and faith groups to reject violence and support survivors.

The province said the upcoming 16 Days of Activism campaign should increasingly focus not only on fighting GBVF, but also on promoting peace, support and recovery.