As South Africa marks the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence campaign, civil society organisations and political leaders marched to police stations across the country on Friday, demanding stronger action against the high rate of withdrawn gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF) cases.
In Bloemhof, one of the province’s GBVF hotspots, marchers gathered at Boitumelong Taxi Rank before proceeding to the local police station.
Speaking on YOU FM Newshour, Lekwa-Teemane constituency MP Gaolatlhe Kgabo said the area records an alarming number of GBVF and drug-related cases, yet most complaints are later withdrawn before reaching court.
“We are deeply concerned. Victims open cases, but then withdraw them. In many instances the abuser is the family’s only breadwinner. The woman fears that if her husband is jailed, the children will go hungry,” Kgabo said.
He cited a second major factor: financial coercion by perpetrators who hold jobs, political power or senior government positions.
“These individuals use money and influence to intimidate or pay victims to drop the charges,” he added.
Kgabo announced that lawmakers are pushing for legislative reform that would prevent anyone – including the victim – from withdrawing a registered GBVF case.
“Once a case is opened, it must be prosecuted by the state. The victim should no longer have the power to withdraw it until the matter has been fully investigated and decided by the authorities,” he said.
Similar “no-drop” prosecution policies for domestic violence already exist in several countries and have been piloted in parts of South Africa.
Friday’s march in Bloemhof forms part of a nationwide series of actions by civil society and parliamentary constituency offices during the 16 Days of Activism campaign, which runs from 25 November to 10 December.
