Today the world observes the International Day of Non-Violence, a day dedicated to promoting peace, tolerance and non-violent solutions to conflict. Yet in South Africa, the grim reality is that we remain the rape capital of the world and gender-based violence is at epidemic levels. Far from non-violence, our country is overwhelmed by violent crime while our justice system is paralysed by backlogs and inefficiency.
“Every 12 minutes a woman is raped in South Africa. On a day that calls for peace and non-violence, our women and children continue to live in what feels like a war zone,” said Juanita du Preez, spokesperson for Action Society. “We must defend their right to safety and dignity with decisive action. Silence protects the predator, not the victim.”
Action Society stresses that meaningful change is possible — but only if government commits to strengthening the South African Police Service, investing in the clearing of the DNA backlog, and improving court capacity to deal with GBV and violent crime cases.
These urgent steps can be achieved through strategic public-private partnerships and by devolving centralised policing power to local, municipal level, where communities and capable local authorities are best placed to take ownership of safety.
“Violence is not inevitable. But South Africa needs leadership with the courage to decentralise power, empower local communities, and build capacity through partnerships with the private sector and civil society,” du Preez added. “Until then, today’s call for non-violence will remain hollow words.”
Action Society calls on government to match its rhetoric with decisive action. The country cannot continue to mark international days of peace while its people live in fear.
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