NPA's strategies to combat gender-based violence and restore public trust
Image: Ntswe Mokoena / GCIS
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) is implementing a wide-ranging, victim-centric strategy to ensure that high-profile acquittals do not deter victims of gender-based violence (GBV) from reporting cases or seeking justice.
In light of public concerns regarding the effectiveness of prosecuting GBV and high-profile crimes, particularly after the acquittal of Pastor Timothy Omotoso despite serious allegations and years of trial, Justice and Constitutional Development Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi revealed this information.
In response to parliamentary questions from the EFF's Sixolisa Gcilishe, Kubayi addressed concerns about how the department prevents high-profile acquittals from discouraging GBV victims from coming forward.
Kubayi said the NPA acknowledges public concerns and the potential wider implications for prosecuting GBV and other high-profile cases following Omotoso's acquittal.
Video Player is loading.
Play Video
Play
Unmute
Current Time
0:00
/
Duration
-:-
Loaded :
0%
Stream Type LIVE
Seek to live, currently behind live
LIVE
Remaining Time
-
0:00
This is a modal window.
Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window.
Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan
Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan
Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan
Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque
Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps
Reset
restore all settings to the default values Done
Close Modal Dialog
End of dialog window.
Advertisement
Video Player is loading.
Play Video
Play
Unmute
Current Time
0:00
/
Duration
-:-
Loaded :
0%
Stream Type LIVE
Seek to live, currently behind live
LIVE
Remaining Time
-
0:00
This is a modal window.
Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window.
Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan
Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan
Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan
Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque
Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps
Reset
restore all settings to the default values Done
Close Modal Dialog
End of dialog window.
Next
Stay
Close ✕
'The NPA has publicly expressed disappointment at the recent judgment on the Omotoso matter, but cautioned against using one matter to undermine the trust and confidence of victims of GBV in our criminal justice system. Instead, it has emphasised its well-established victim-centred approach to dealing with victims of GBV with a track record that spans more than 20 years,' Kubayi said.
'Through these comprehensive, integrated, and survivor-focused strategies, the NPA is determined to prevent high-profile acquittals from undermining public trust or deterring victims from coming forward. The goal is to continuously build public confidence that the criminal justice system takes GBV seriously and is fully committed to delivering justice for survivors.'
Key interventions include:
Delivery of GBV public awareness campaign: The NPA is actively working to promote reporting of GBV and restore confidence in the system, through extensive public awareness campaigns, community-specific interventions, and collaboration with civil society and survivor advocacy groups.
'The NPA, driven by the Sexual Offences and Community Affairs (SOCA) Unit, completed 853 campaigns from April to December 2024 in the 2024/2025 financial year,' Kubayi said.
Expansion of Thuthuzela Care Centres (TCCs): The NPA aims to expand integrated, survivor-centric services by establishing more TCCs nationwide, offering extensive pretrial services, including psycho-social support, medical treatment, and legal services to GBV victims.
'Currently, there are 66 TCC sites located in rural, urban and peri-urban communities nationally,' Kubayi said.
Prosecutor-Guided Investigations (PGI): By enhancing the implementation of PGI, prosecutors are directly involved in guiding investigators from the earliest stages to ensure that GBV cases are properly built, evidence is secured, and procedural missteps are avoided, minimising the risk of acquittals due to avoidable errors.
Specialised Training: Prosecutors undergo continuous training to ensure sensitivity and effectiveness in handling GBV matters.
Continued Victim Support: Increase the number of Court Preparation Officers to ensure their availability at all courts. This will enable them to adequately prepare victims and witnesses, fostering a secure and supportive environment that promotes full participation in the criminal justice process.
Policy Directives for Prosecutors: The NPA has amended its directives relating to Sexual Offences and Domestic Violence to align with recent amendments to GBV legislation. These directives offer clear, binding instructions to prosecutors on managing GBV cases.
Serial Rapist Prioritisation Initiative: Launched in 2023, this initiative focuses on fast-tracking the prosecution of cases involving identified serial rapists across all provinces.
Teenage Pregnancy Prioritisation Initiative: Introduced in 2024, this initiative addresses teenage pregnancies by ensuring that cases involving children below the age of consent are promptly reported, thoroughly investigated, and prosecuted.
DNA Prioritisation Initiative: Implemented in October 2020, this initiative has focused on reducing the DNA testing backlog in sexual offence cases.
'By prioritising DNA evidence, prosecutors, together with the SAPS Forensic Science Laboratory, have facilitated the finalisation of 60,518 reports to date, significantly improving turnaround times in GBV-related prosecutions,' Kubayi said.
Community Prosecution Initiative: The NPA has established community prosecution capacity in all divisions to tackle crime through localised, community-specific solutions. There are 50 community prosecution sites nationwide, with 26 specifically dedicated to addressing GBV.
thobeka.ngema@inl.co.za
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
IOL News
28 minutes ago
- IOL News
King Khoisan SA's fight for Khoisan rights continues after eviction from Union Buildings
King Khoisan SA vows to continue fighting for Khoisan recognition in South Africa. Image: Thobile Mathonsi / Independent Newspapers King Khoisan SA has vowed to continue advocating for the recognition of the Khoisan people as South Africa's first nation, despite being forcibly removed from the Union Buildings lawn in February after a five-year protest. The eviction, which was carried out following a Gauteng High Court order, has not deterred King Khoisan from pursuing his demands, which include recognition of the Khoisan people's rights, land ownership, and abolition of the term "coloured". King Khoisan SA said on Tuesday that he is determined to push forward with a demand to have the Khoisan people recognised as the first nation in the country. He has started a nationwide mobilisation effort, visiting different provinces to regroup and rally support. He said he has already visited the Western Cape and is currently crisscrossing the Eastern Cape, with plans to stage a massive action towards the end of this year or early next year. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ "The advocacy to have the Khoisan recognised as the first nation is still ongoing. I have actually now started to visit different provinces, speaking to leadership and trying to regroup," he said. He said his legal team has discovered that the eviction was potentially illegal, and preparations are under way to wage a legal battle against the government. He claims that the government broke its promise to keep their possessions safe, resulting in losses estimated at R80 million to R90 million. "We have lost close to R80 million to R90 million. For example, we had paintings there which were over R50,000," he said, adding that some awards bestowed upon him, including one from the African Nations, are missing. The Department of Public Works and Infrastructure, which obtained an eviction order, cited that the Union Buildings are a heritage site where no temporary structures are allowed. The department previously said no appeals or opposition were received against the court order for the eviction of the Khoisan community from the Union Buildings. According to the department, they complied with all high court orders, which included consulting with stakeholders like other government departments and the City of Tshwane, to assist individuals willing to return home. King Khoisan SA said the local Khoisan group has allied with their counterparts in Namibia and Botswana, and is mobilising Africans from different tribes to support their cause.
The Citizen
28 minutes ago
- The Citizen
Femicide horror as EC man kills wife and ex-girlfriend
A man is on the run after allegedly shooting his ex-girlfriend and wife in a double femicide in Lusikisiki. As South Africa marks Women's Month, an Eastern Cape man is wanted for killing his reportedly pregnant ex-girlfriend and then going home and shooting his wife while she slept. A 42-year-old man is wanted for allegedly shooting and killing two women in the Ngobozana area in Lusikisiki on Tuesday. The man allegedly shot and killed his 49-year-old wife and 22-year-old ex-girlfriend in the early hours of the day between 1am and 1:30am. Police searching for man accused of killing wife and ex-girlfriend Eastern Cape police spokesperson Brigadier Nobuntu Gantana said that the motive for the killings is unknown at this stage. According to reports, the suspect first shot his ex-girlfriend at a tavern in the Chithwayo locality before he then proceeded to his home in Unity Park. He then allegedly shot his wife while she was asleep. The suspect fled the scene in the family's vehicle, which police later discovered abandoned. ALSO READ: Withdrawn GBV cases allow 'perpetrators to evade justice', hears portfolio committee The police are appealing to anyone with information on the suspect's whereabouts to contact Lusikisiki Detectives Head, Colonel Siyabulela Kufa, on 082 302 5118, Crime Stop on 08600 10111, or the nearest police station. Gantana said callers can remain anonymous. This tragic incident of gender-based violence (GBV) comes as South Africa commemorates Women's Month. According to the South African Police Service (Saps), over the past year, the Saps Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences (FCS) unit has made significant inroads in tackling GBV and related crimes. Women's Month and police progress with GBV cases Between 1 April 2024 and 31 March 2025, the unit arrested 22 219 suspects for GBV, femicide, sexual offences, and crimes against children, and secured 2 941 convictions. Breakdown of convictions: 604 offenders sentenced to life imprisonment 350 offenders sentenced to 20 years or more 735 offenders sentenced to 10–19 years 1 391 offenders sentenced to one – 9 years ALSO READ: 'Declare Limpopo a GBV disaster zone' – ANCWL During the same period, the unit arrested all 22 219 suspects for crimes related to the Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences (FCS) mandate. Western Cape, Gauteng, and KwaZulu-Natal registered the most arrests: Western Cape: 4 727 Gauteng: 4 278 KwaZulu-Natal: 3 802 The National Commissioner of the Saps, General Fannie Masemola, praised the dedicated men and women in blue for their tireless efforts in protecting society's most vulnerable. Safer SA for women and children 'Through resilience, unwavering dedication, and high-quality investigations, our men and women in blue continue to ensure that sexual offenders are brought to justice and removed from society,' Masemola said. 'Every conviction brings us one step closer to a safer South Africa for all women and girl children.'
IOL News
an hour ago
- IOL News
MPs challenge legal advisor's claim on Mkhwanazi's allegations
MPs took issue with a member of the parliamentary legal team for suggesting the allegations made by KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi were technically not evidence. Image: Thobile Mathonsi / Independent Newspapers MPs on Tuesday raised their concerns when a parliamentary legal advisor suggested that KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi's allegations were technically not evidence. This happened when the Ad Hoc Committee, which is mandated to investigate Mkhwanazi's allegations, met for the first time to discuss some of its preparations, such as the terms of reference and getting prisoners testify as witnesses. Responding to the questions, parliamentary legal advisor Andile Tetyana said there was a draft terms of reference that could be released in two or three days to MPs for comments. Tetyana also said there was a lot of backroom legal technical support that should take place, and that witnesses would need to be identified. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ 'I am saying this with the greatest of respect. What General Mkhwanazi said on 6 July 2025 was not evidence in a technical sense. Of course, one would need a legal person to go around speaking to people, who will be able to corroborate what Lieutenant-General Mkhwanazi said. The committee can't do that, and, of course, you need sworn statements from witnesses drafted and so on. That is the kind of work that will take place in the next two to three weeks,' he said. EFF leader Julius Malema questioned where the remark about Mkhwanazi said was not evidence came from. 'You can't start by saying what General Mkhwanazi said is not evidence. That is very dismissive. Right at the beginning, we are starting on the wrong footing. 'Please, when people are asked, especially support staff, they must not enter the terrain. They must give us technical advice and leave the rest to us because we are not to leave here being part of a remark that says what Mkhwanazi said, not evidence,' Malema said. MK Party's MP David Skosana said he was a bit disturbed by the legal team's remarks about Mkhwanazi's allegations. 'If they want to work with us, they should not tell us that what Mkhwanazi said is not evidence. This is disturbing. Why are we here? Are we here for gossiping? We are not here for that,' Skosana said. 'Mkhwanazi presented, and he attached evidence in that press statement,' he said before asking that the chief parliamentary legal advisor should attend their future meetings. IFP MP Albert Mncwango said he was equally disturbed to hear that Mkhwanazi's revelations were actually not evidence. 'I think that was actually defeating the purpose of this session,' Mncwango said. He also raised his concerns about the absence of the chief parliamentary advisor at the meeting. 'This is a critical start to this process of investigation. It is very crucial that we start from a solid foundation and a solid legal foundation as well.' ANC MP Xola Nqola said they preferred the chief parliamentary legal advisor deployed to the committee to assist it, given the nature of the issues they would be handling. 'Without sounding, we don't take seriously the legal advisors that are here; they can work as a team led by the chief legal advisor,' Nqola said. Committee chairperson Soviet Lekganyane described Tetyana's remarks as being subjective and pleaded with MPs not to dwell on them. 'He can't decide for us what is evidence and what is not evidence. It is unfortunate that it has been said here. He can't say that before we agree on the terms of reference. The terms of reference will tell us this is evidence or it is not evidence,' Lekganyane said. ActionSA MP Dereleen James said the statement by Tetyana was out of line based on allegations made by Mkhwanazi and the office he held. James took issue that an ANC MP was elected as the committee chairperson. 'How do we garner public trust here this morning when we have a chairperson who has been elected from the very party where most of these people are embroiled? 'How does that make the public feel to know that today we have a member from the same family, where all these people come from?' she asked. This prompted the ANC and Patriotic Alliance to raise concerns that James did not use the opportunity to raise her concern when Lekganyane was elected, but the MK Party and EFF came to James' defence. ANC chief Mdumiseni Ntuli stated that the committee would discharge its responsibility consistently within the Constitution and the laws of the country. 'There should not be fear that because there are others who have come from this and other party, this might in any way negatively contaminate the process we are engaged in. 'We should get our work tested in action as opposed to what maybe our own preconceived ideas with one another as we start our work,' Ntuli said. Lekganyane said they were sworn as MPs and should act within the law in executing their responsibility. 'I was not sworn through the law of the ANC. There is only one law to swear in MPs,' he said. 'It will be sheer hypocrisy on our part if there is anything we are going to do is meant to shoot down the noble intention of Parliament when it appointed this Ad Hoc Committee,' he said.
