400 GBV cases reflect that crime is out of control in Western Cape
Action Society is concerned about the high number of cases referred to the Gender-Based Violence Command Centre in the Western Cape.
The Western Cape Social Development Department yesterday released the latest statistics for the province between 1 April 2021 and 31 March 2022.
Four-hundred and one GBV cases were recorded, 207 were physical violence, 60 cases of emotional abuse, 35 cases of verbal abuse or intimidation, 33 cases of child neglect and 21 cases of rape or corrective rape were opened on the system.
Social Development MEC Sharna Fernandez said the number of cases is a serious cause for concern and demonstrates that crime and violence remain a barrier to many citizens of the Western Cape living a safe and dignified life.
Action Society is of the view that in order to win the war against gender-based violence more needs to be done across the province, which includes more SAPS officers in crime hotspots, increased visibility and address the DNA backlog within SAPS.
Action Society has already been appointed as a watching brief on numerous cases in the province where it oversees the prosecution process to ensure that justice is served. One of the cases is the matter pertaining to Siphokazi Booi, whose burnt body was found at a dumpsite near the Mbekweni train station.
Sithobele Qebe has been arrested in connection with the murder of Booi.
Action Society’s Kaylynn Palm said the initiative with the Department of Social Development is welcomed as it is important in fighting the scourge of gender-based violence. “While it is important to have this initiative in place, we hope that these cases are followed up. What is also equally important is prosecution.” At the same time Action Society is awaiting the adoption of the Convicted Offenders Bill scheduled for next week. The Portfolio Committee on Police has confirmed that the DNA Act has to be amended. The organisation sees DNA as one of the most important crime-fighting tools.
