World
S.Africa president announces new measures to combat gender-based violence
Ramaphosa's address follows widespread national outrage after the discovery of 11 women's bodies across the city of Ekurhuleni, east of Johannesburg, since July.
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa. (File)
By: Xinhua News Agency, Journalist @New Vision
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JOHANNESBURG — South African President Cyril Ramaphosa on Tuesday night announced a series of new measures against gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF), adding to ongoing efforts to combat the crisis.
"I address you tonight with the heaviest of hearts. I speak as president of the Republic. I also speak as a man, as a husband and as a father to daughters," Ramaphosa said in a live televised address, calling the violence inflicted upon the women of the country "a source of profound pain and national shame."
Ramaphosa's address follows widespread national outrage after the discovery of 11 women's bodies across the city of Ekurhuleni, east of Johannesburg, since July.
A specialised multidisciplinary task team, comprising detectives, Crime Intelligence officers, forensic experts, investigative psychologists, and digital investigators, has already been elevated to national level and deployed to investigate cases of femicide, Ramaphosa said, adding that some suspects have been arrested.
The government has also allocated resources to strengthen the Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Units, while more resources will be allocated by the minister of finance, and Sexual Offences Courts are being expanded, he said.
Processing of DNA and forensic evidence is being overhauled, while police stations nationwide are establishing dedicated gender-based violence desks and victim-friendly services.
A specialised multidisciplinary task team, comprising detectives, Crime Intelligence officers, forensic experts, investigative psychologists, and digital investigators, has already been elevated to national level and deployed to investigate cases of femicide, Ramaphosa said, adding that some suspects have been arrested.
The government has also allocated resources to strengthen the Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Units, while more resources will be allocated by the minister of finance, and Sexual Offences Courts are being expanded, he said.
Processing of DNA and forensic evidence is being overhauled, while police stations nationwide are establishing dedicated gender-based violence desks and victim-friendly services.
The president also vowed to "keep acting until every woman and every girl in South Africa can live in freedom, in dignity and in safety
He ordered the ministers of police and justice to conduct a 60-day national audit of unresolved murders, attempted murders, rapes and serious sexual offenses involving women and children.
The audit will identify the number and age of unresolved cases, cases awaiting forensic evidence, cases in which suspects have been identified but not arrested, and cases in which investigative or prosecutorial action has been unreasonably delayed, he said.
Police and forensic authorities were also given 60 days to implement a funded plan to clear forensic backlogs and set turnaround standards for priority GBVF cases.
He ordered the ministers of police and justice to conduct a 60-day national audit of unresolved murders, attempted murders, rapes and serious sexual offenses involving women and children.
The audit will identify the number and age of unresolved cases, cases awaiting forensic evidence, cases in which suspects have been identified but not arrested, and cases in which investigative or prosecutorial action has been unreasonably delayed, he said.
Police and forensic authorities were also given 60 days to implement a funded plan to clear forensic backlogs and set turnaround standards for priority GBVF cases.