Ramaphosa unveils four-point plan to tackle gender-based violence

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PRETORIA — South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has announced a four-point plan to strengthen the state’s response to gender-based violence and femicide, following a series of killings of women in Ekurhuleni that has intensified pressure on the government.

In his address to the nation, Ramaphosa set 60- to 90-day deadlines to accelerate criminal investigations, reduce forensic backlogs, identify areas where women face heightened security risks and strengthen enforcement measures linked to harmful alcohol consumption.

A central measure is a national case-recovery drive targeting outstanding cases of murder, attempted murder, rape and other serious sexual offences involving women and children. Authorities will identify stalled investigations, cases awaiting forensic evidence and instances where suspects have been identified but not yet arrested.

The government will also be required to produce a funded plan to reduce forensic backlogs, which can prolong investigations and delay prosecutions.

A further measure calls for women’s safety audits in high-risk areas, these assessments will examine problems including inadequate street lighting, abandoned buildings, unsafe public spaces and weaknesses in transport routes. Local authorities will then be expected to develop measures to address the identified risks.

Ramaphosa also ordered a coordinated response to harmful alcohol consumption, involving the departments responsible for trade, health, social development, policing and local government. The initiative is expected to combine legislative measures, enforcement and tighter application of existing regulations governing alcohol outlets.

The intervention comes amid growing concern over violence against women. At least 11 women have been killed in Ekurhuleni since July, according to reports cited in the government’s response, although authorities are still investigating whether the killings are connected.

The president is seeking to turn a broader crisis of security and justice into an agenda defined by deadlines and measurable actions. The immediate test, however, will be implementation: reducing outstanding cases, speeding up forensic processing and improving safety in public spaces.

The next 60 to 90 days will provide an early indication of whether the new measures can translate presidential commitments into measurable improvements in South Africa’s response to gender-based violence.