Paul Mashatile calls for action against GBV as stats reveal alarming trends
Deputy President Paul Mashatile has called for a national conversation on the escalating crisis of gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF) in South Africa, describing the situation as 'unacceptable' and urging urgent systemic change.
Mashatile's comments came during a session in parliament on Thursday, following the release of disturbing statistics by Statistics South Africa and the Human Sciences Research Council.
According to the data, one in three women aged 16 and older has experienced physical violence, while one in five has faced sexual abuse.
Additionally, 33.1% of women over the age of 18 reported being victims of physical violence in their lifetimes.
'We cannot allow this situation to continue,' Mashatile said, condemning the continued abuse of women and children.
He specifically referenced the recent murder of seven-year-old Cwecwe from Matatiele, describing the incident as a heartbreaking reminder of the urgent need for reform.
The Deputy President urged law enforcement and judicial institutions to expedite justice for victims.
He highlighted steps being taken by the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), including a victim-centred approach and the establishment of the Sexual Offences and Community Affairs (SOCA) Unit.
The SOCA Unit oversees initiatives such as the Thuthuzela Care Centre model, which offers holistic support services to GBV survivors and has reportedly improved conviction rates in GBV-related cases.
Paul Mashatile also addressed public concerns surrounding the recent acquittal of Nigerian pastor Timothy Omotoso, whose high-profile trial spanned more than eight years.
He confirmed that the Eastern Cape Director of Public Prosecutions is currently reviewing the matter and investigating prosecutorial conduct.
In his capacity as Chairperson of the Cabinet Committee on Justice, Crime Prevention, and Security, Mashatile confirmed he had already met with the Department of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities to strengthen accountability across government departments dealing with GBVF.
'Without peace and safety, there is no meaningful development.
'The people of South Africa are looking to us to end this pandemic of violence and restore dignity to survivors,' he said.
The Deputy President's statement underscores growing pressure on the government to deliver tangible reforms amid public frustration over the pace of progress in addressing GBVF.
Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1
Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
TimesLIVE
3 hours ago
- TimesLIVE
Mashatile's overseas trips spark fury as costs soar to R8m
Deputy President Paul Mashatile has raked up close to R8m in expenditure on international trips since taking office in July 2024. This was revealed in a parliamentary response which showed that Mashatile visited countries like the UK, Ireland, Botswana, Zimbabwe and Japan, his latest trip. Mashatile's recent working visit to Japan cost more than R2.3m. The trip, which took place from March 16 to 19, was described by his office as strategically important, aimed at deepening political, economic and social ties between South Africa and Japan. The revelation came in response to a parliamentary question from ActionSA MP Lerato Mikateko Ngobeni, who requested a complete breakdown of all official travel undertaken by Mashatile since assuming office on July 3 2024. According to the presidency the Japan visit marked the first high-level engagement between South Africa and Japan in a decade. The trip coincided with the two countries celebrating 115 years of diplomatic relations and took place at a time when Japan remains South Africa's fourth-largest trading partner. The presidency also revealed that during the visit Mashatile and his delegation engaged Japanese political leaders, business executives and development institutions in an effort to attract investment and reinforce co-operation in key sectors. Among the highlights of the visit were meetings with Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba and chief cabinet secretary Yoshihama Hayashi, a keynote address delivered at the UN University in Tokyo and a tour of the Isuzu Fujisawa plant, which has operations in South Africa. The deputy president also met with the Japan International Co-operation Agency (JICA) and participated in discussions with the Japan-AU Parliamentary Friendship League. Talks also took place with leading Japanese economic organisations including the Japan External Trade Organisation (JETRO), the Japan Organisation for Metals and Energy Security (JOGMEC), Keidanren, and the Association of the African Economy and Development in Japan Committee (AFRECO). These engagements focused on sectors such as manufacturing, energy, mining, agriculture and the automotive industry. Mashatile was accompanied by several ministers and deputy ministers, including minister of sport, arts and culture Gayton McKenzie; minister of agriculture John Steenhuisen; minister of higher education Dr Nobuhle Nkabane; minister of trade, industry and competition Parks Tau; deputy minister of international relations and co-operation Thandi Moraka and deputy minister of science and innovation Nomalungelo Gina.
The South African
a day ago
- The South African
Luxury travel buddy: Who is Paul Mashatile's wife?
Paul Mashatile has been condemned by parliament for spending millions on luxury travel alongside his wife, Humile. The deputy president and the Second Lady – who have a 24-year age gap – wed in 2023 after both their partners died in 2020. Over the past few days, Deputy President Paul Mashatile has been grilled over his five-star luxury travel he made with his wife Humile on unofficial trips, at the expense of the taxpayer. In a recent parliament sitting, it was revealed that Paul spent over R2 million on a six-night stay in London last year. Earlier this year, he travelled to Japan, where he splurged almost R1 million on a four-night stay with his wife. Since being sworn in last July, Paul has spent almost R8 million on four international trips. Paul Mashatile's younger, attractive wife is no stranger to the spotlight. Humile was first married to former ANC Western Cape secretary Songezo Mjongile, who died in 2020 after a battle with colon cancer. At the time, Paul was the treasurer of the ANC. Paul's first wife, Manzi Ellen Mashatile, died in July 2020 after contracting COVID-19. Paul has four children with his late wife, while Humile has two from her marriage to Songezo. The couple's nuptials occurred just days after Paul was sworn in as SA's new deputy president. Paul Mashatile and his wife Humile Mjongile. Images via X: @pmashatile/ RODGER BOSCH, AFP According to her Instagram account, the second lady is a philanthropist who recently launched her own charity, the Humile Mashatile Foundation. Her areas of interest are autism, HIV/ Aids treatment in young children, and holistic healing. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 . Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp , Facebook , X, and Bluesky for the latest news.
IOL News
2 days ago
- IOL News
Mashatile, Ministers under fire for R200 million travel bill, including R900,000 Japan stay
The Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse (OUTA) has thrown its support behind a new bill aimed at reining in unchecked benefits for ministers. Image: Supplied Ministers in the Government of National Unity (GNU) have spent more than R200 million in travel expenses since assuming office last year, ActionSA revealed. The party said this figure was compiled through its GNU Performance Tracker, following the latest replies to our parliamentary questions submitted to every Minister, including the President, Deputy President, and the Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture. This painted a damning picture of executive indulgence at a time of deep economic crisis, ActionSA said in a statement. This week, the party revealed that Deputy President Paul Mashatile and his staff have incurred over R2 million in travel-related expenses for transport and accommodation since last year This included spending over R900,000 on just four nights' accommodation in Japan. In a written reply, Mashatile said all these occurred due to his international trips: to Ireland, Botswana, Zimbabwe, and, recently, Japan. He stood in for President Cyril Ramaphosa on other trips. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ In addition to this, Sports Minister, Gayton McKenzie, and his department have spent about R6.6 million on international travel. Among the most shocking items is a R164,556 payment for a trip to Burkina Faso that never took place. 'Not only is this spending exorbitant, but it is riddled with red flags, gaps, and inconsistencies,' it added. ActionSA said the public paid for flights and accommodation for an event that was ultimately abandoned, a textbook case of wasteful expenditure, as defined by the Public Finance Management Act. Defending his ministry, McKenzie said it would not be right to expect ministers not to fly business class on long flights. In a statement, ActionSA MP Alan Beesley condemned these as wasteful expenditures, saying that it was enough to build a decent home for a family in need for each night they spent in luxury. 'South Africans deserve leadership that puts people before perks and not an R200 million travel spree by the world's largest cabinet,' Beesley said.
