President Cyril Ramaphosa’s government faces growing pressure to show results from its Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (GBVF) plan, as critics question what will “actually change” for survivors.
Multiple reports say Ramaphosa has directed the relevant parts of government to act on stalled GBVF cases within set timeframes, including reviews within 60 and 90 days. The focus includes addressing forensic examination backlogs that slow investigations and prosecutions, and identifying public spaces deemed unsafe.
Outlets frame the challenge slightly differently: some emphasize the urgency of clearing case backlogs and improving evidence processing, while others stress the need for measurable delivery rather than policy announcements. In all accounts, the underlying concern is that previous efforts have not produced sufficient progress, and that the latest plan must be followed by tangible outcomes for investigations, court cases, and public safety.
