South Africa: Cabinet Approves 90-Day Programme to Intensify GBVF Response

Cabinet has approved a 90-day program to tackle Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (GBVF). This initiative is led by the Justice, Crime Prevention and Security (JCPS) Cluster. It focuses on 19 areas with specific goals for the next three months. The aim is to reverse the rising trend of GBVF in the country.

The plan was adopted during a recent JCPS Cluster Ministers meeting. This response comes due to the alarming increase in GBVF incidents. The short-term intervention seeks to speed up progress on the National Strategic Plan (NSP) for GBVF.

At a media briefing, Minister Khumbudzo Ntshavheni discussed the program's purpose. She stated it will act as a catalyst for immediate action. The National Joint Operational and Intelligence Structure (NatJoints) has formed a priority committee with eight workstreams. This committee identified six urgent interventions for implementation within 90 days.

The six interventions include:

1. Prevention: Focus on education and awareness for behavioral change.
2. Enforcement: Strengthen the criminal justice system to hold perpetrators accountable.
3. Legal Framework: Improve legal regulations for better outcomes.
4. Data Management: Enhance data handling in the Integrated Justice System.
5. Community Mobilization: Foster partnerships among government, civil society, and citizens.
6. Resource Harnessing: Organize financial and human resources effectively.

In another matter, Cabinet supported the National Prosecuting Authority's (NPA) decision to appeal Timothy Omotoso's acquittal. Omotoso and his co-accused were cleared of serious charges last month in Gqeberha High Court. Ntshavheni noted that this decision followed careful consideration by experienced NPA prosecutors and legal counsel opinions.