As South Africa commemorates 30 years of democracy, President Cyril Ramaphosa has emphasized the need for a truly free and equal society. Addressing the nation, he highlighted the dual challenges of corruption and gender-based violence (GBV) as significant barriers to this goal.
Corruption and GBV are two major issues eroding South Africa’s social fabric. President Ramaphosa stated, “These forms of criminality hold our country back and prevent us from realizing our full potential.” He made these remarks at the Union Buildings during the signing ceremony for the National Council on Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (GBVF) Bill and the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) Amendment Bill.
The newly signed laws aim to bolster government efforts to enhance institutional capacity and develop strategic partnerships. The National Council on Gender-Based Violence and Femicide will lead the fight against GBV and femicide. This multi-sectoral body will include stakeholders from civil society, labor, and business, ensuring a comprehensive approach.
Progress Since the 2018 Presidential Summit
The establishment of this council was a key resolution from the first Presidential Summit on GBVF in 2018. Since then, significant strides have been made, including the creation of a National Strategic Plan (NSP) on Gender-Based Violence and the Women’s Economic Assembly.
These initiatives aim to integrate women-owned enterprises into industry value chains, promote sustainable economic development, and empower women economically.
Approximately R21 billion has been allocated over the medium term to implement the six pillars of the NSP, focusing on the economic empowerment of women.
New laws have been enacted to enhance the criminal justice system’s response to GBV. This includes establishing new Thuthuzela Care Centres, Sexual Offences Courts, and victim-friendly rooms at nearly all police stations.
Improving Support and Conviction Rates
President Ramaphosa noted improvements in conviction rates and stricter sentencing for GBV cases. However, he stressed that the primary goal is to prevent GBV from occurring. He called for a more coordinated national effort involving all stakeholders to eradicate violence against women and children.
The NPA Amendment Bill marks significant progress since the establishment of the Investigating Directorate within the NPA five years ago. This directorate has taken 39 state capture and corruption cases to court, involving 212 accused persons and 68 entities. Nearly 700 government officials have been convicted of corruption during this period.
The new law will establish the Investigating Directorate against Corruption as a permanent entity within the NPA. This agency will have full criminal investigative powers and the capacity to recruit and retain specialist skills. It will benefit from collaborations with the private sector and other social partners.
Efforts are underway to create a Digital Evidence Unit specializing in digital evidence identification, collection, analysis, and presentation. This initiative is part of the partnership between the government and the private sector.
President Ramaphosa Calls for Collective Action
President Ramaphosa urged all stakeholders, including government, business, labor, and civil society, to support these new entities. He emphasized the importance of collective action in making South Africa safer and more just for all its citizens.
By enacting these pivotal laws, South Africa takes a significant step towards addressing corruption and gender-based violence, striving for a society where all individuals can feel safe and respected.