Latest news with #BrendaMadumise-Pajibo
The Citizen
5 days ago
- The Citizen
GBV campaigns are falling flat
Campaigns and outrage resurface annually, yet murders, rapes and harassment persist –with little meaningful change. Here we are at that time of the year again when we rant that 'this can't go on', or that 'things must change'. And we launch this or that campaign which will, this time around, 'really make a difference.' But nothing changes and, instead, things get worse. As we head towards Women's Day tomorrow, the fight against gender-based violence (GBV) seems to be like perpetually filling a holey bucket with water: you never get anyway near your goal. As we report today, the numbers make for depressing reading. Murders of women and children, rapes and contact sexual offences are not going down. The best we can report is that, in some cases, they look stable, but in others they're increasing at an alarming rate. Activists we spoke to this week outlined how the odds are stacked against women, who are the primary targets of violent assaults, as well as more insidious sexual harassment. ALSO READ: Join us in the fight against GBV Harassment in the workplace occurs daily and, according to Brenda Madumise-Pajibo, director of the feminist organisation, Wise4Afrika, many employers do not listen, or do not want to listen to, the complaints of their female staff. Prince Ntsikelelo Soga, the executive director of the I Am That Ma organisation said: 'GBV is claiming the lives and dignity of thousands of women and children.' He said the justice system is weak, police often mishandle cases, investigations are delayed and conviction rates are low. 'Survivors face secondary trauma when reporting and many simply give up … and patriarchal culture protects abusers.' We all have a responsibility to change our society. Parents must inculcate values of gender respect in their children, particularly boys. Similar education must take place at school and the police must be trained to recognise GBV and assist the victims. The scourge of GBV shames us as a nation. NOW READ: Mistakes to avoid when applying for a protection order against alleged abusers
The Citizen
08-07-2025
- The Citizen
‘No moral standing': Saps must act tough on GBVF officers
Critics say police culture enables abuse, and demand tougher sentences for Saps officers who commit GBVF. The South African Police Service (Saps) must deal harshly with its members involved in gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF), according to experts. The Independent Police Investigative Directorate (Ipid) recently stated that during the 2024-2025 financial year, 92 rape cases involving police officers were finalised. This resulted in 21 departmental convictions and 11 criminal convictions. Deputy Minister of Police Dr Polly Boshielo said: 'By the president's declaration that GBVF constitutes a national crisis, it will continue to be prioritised. A zero-tolerance approach will be adopted. Zero tolerance for GBVF in Saps – deputy minister 'More investigators will be up-skilled in the investigation of sexual offences to decrease GBVF-related cases in the Saps. 'Our officers are committed to ensuring they uphold the rule of law and in instances where they are not, Ipid must exercise its legislative mandate.' ALSO READ: Withdrawn GBV cases allow 'perpetrators to evade justice', hears portfolio committee Saps has enlisted the expertise of retired investigators to contribute to reducing its backlog, she added. A budget of R844.5 million has been allocated to the investigation and provincial coordination programme over three years. 'This initiative will focus on the investigation of backlog cases in terms of Section 28(1)(a)(h) of the Ipid Act, which includes death in police custody, death as a result of police action, rape by a police officer, corruption and related crimes.' In-house forensic investigation capability crucial She said an in-house forensic investigation capability was also crucial for improving the quality of investigations. This includes the recruitment of financial data analysts, cyber forensic experts and crime analysts and the procurement of a forensic electronic system. ALSO READ: Less than 25% of Gauteng police stations have dedicated toilets for GBV victims Brenda Madumise-Pajibo, director of the feminist organisation Wise4Afrika, called on Saps' management and other relevant authorities to deal harshly with the perpetrators in the police. 'We have said consistently that law enforcement officers are contaminated and are highly compromised in matters of sexual violence and domestic violence. They have no moral standing to uphold the rule of law.' Saps code of conduct ignored Witness Maluleke, a criminologist at the University of Limpopo, said the Saps code of conduct was ignored. 'They continue breaking the same laws due to power dynamics. Instead of protecting victims of rape, they re-victimise them. They should be heavily sentenced,' he said.
