Urgent call to action against gender-based violence in KwaZulu-Natal

The Deputy Director-General for Stakeholder Coordination in the Office of the Premier, Dr Sabelo Gwala, has recently emphasised the urgent need for more robust action to combat gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF) in KwaZulu-Natal.

His remarks, made during the recent KZN Provincial Council on AIDS meeting, underscored the alarming GBVF rates plaguing communities, particularly in the eThekwini, uMgungundlovu, and King Cetshwayo districts.

Gwala said that part of the National Strategic Plan on GBVF is a gender machinery and forums, established across all districts. 

He said that on the status of functionality, three districts (uMgungundlovu, uMzinyathi, and Zululand) failed to meet for three months (July, August, and September). 

Gwala explained that GBVF programmes implemented during July to September 2025 include community-based prevention, reaching parents and children, substance abuse intervention, positive masculinity programmes for men, and engaging traditional leaders.

He said the Office of the Premier monitors GBVF hotspots, with cases ranging from attempted murder, rape, sexual assault, assault with the purpose to inflict grievous bodily harm, and common assault. Common assault and assault with intent to inflict grievous bodily harm decreased in 2025 compared to 2024. However, rape increased. 

Looking at the statistics per district, Gwala said eThekwini, uMgungundlovu, and King Cetshwayo are the districts with the highest prevalence of GBV. The top contributing police stations are Plessislaer and Inanda, with Plessislaer and Osizweni showing the top increases.

On children (aged 17 and below), Gwala said leading the statistics were eThekwini, King Cetshwayo, and Zululand. While with women, it was eThekwini, uMgungundlovu, and King Cetshwayo.

The Department of Health reported over 1,000 sexual assaults of children under 12 from July to September. 

“The districts that have increased in sexual assault matters for children under 12 years are indicated as Harry Gwala, King Cetshwayo District, as well as uMzinyathi (April - June),” Gwala said. “Decreases in sexual assault for under 12 years are noted in Amajuba, Ilembe, and King Cetshwayo District (July - September).” 

Gwala said the Department of Social Development offers care through 21 dedicated shelters, including a new one in Zululand, and has reached 25,000 people through women empowerment and skills development initiatives.

“A high rate of femicide cases has been noted as a challenge. One of the mitigating factors through the research is to strengthen awareness prevention programmes with men and boys on positive masculinity,” Gwala said. 

“Another challenge is unreported cases, especially in rural areas. A mitigating plan is to engage with traditional leadership to champion the issue of GBV in rural areas. 

“Another challenge is that not all districts have functional structures, with the three districts to encourage GBV forums to be established,” Gwala said. 

In reaction, KZN Premier Thamsanqa Ntuli said “there is a need to up our game” because statistics skyrocket during the festive season. 

He emphasised that planning must target known hotspots and the prevalent period (festive season), where senior citizens and children are most vulnerable to GBV. 

He said alcohol abuse during this time often contributes to women becoming victims. 

“The festive season comes with a lot of alcohol intake and unfortunately, for some, they also see an opportunity to make women victims,” Ntuli said. 

He said it was also pointed out that men can be victims, making programmes that allow them to speak up are essential.

“We are approaching a season that might see us having more numbers. It’s important that we have programmes which are clear, which are deliberate and targeted, that will hit the nail on the head,” Ntuli said. 

Meanwhile, non-profit Women for Change urged all women and LGBTQI+ members in South Africa to abstain from all paid and unpaid work on Friday across workplaces, universities, homes, and communities to highlight the economic and social impact of their absence.

Dubbed the ‘G20 Women’s Shutdown’, the organisation said that until South Africa stops burying a woman every 2.5 hours, the G20 cannot speak of growth and progress.

“We demand that gender-based violence and femicide be declared a national disaster. Not tomorrow. Not at another summit. Now!” Women for Change said. 

thobeka.ngema@inl.co.za