Ramaphosa appoints National Council on Gender-Based Violence to tackle crisis

The new Provincial Commissioner of the Western Cape, Lieutenant General Sizakele William Danti, was introduced alongside the incumbent National Commissioner Puleng Dimpane. Political parties and civil organizations welcomed Danti's appointment, noting his commitment to combating gangs, but they also strongly urged him to focus on issues of gender-based violence (GBV) and strengthening community ties.

Announcement and Political Reaction

Danti's appointment was officially announced on Wednesday during a press briefing at the SAPS headquarters in Cape Town by the incumbent National Commissioner Puleng Dimpane and Premier Alan Wind. This comes less than a month after the retirement of former Provincial Commissioner Lieutenant General Thembisile Patekele on June 30.

ActionSA candidate for Mayor of Cape Town, Derelin James, reacted positively to the appointment, stating that in a situation where communities continue to suffer from crime, extortion, and gang activity, this appointment offers an opportunity to restore trust in the police's work. James noted that she supports Danti's commitment to prioritizing the fight against gang violence, believing his experience will lead to decisive action against criminal networks terrorizing the Western Cape.

Calls for Comprehensive Measures

GOOD Party candidate for Mayor of Cape Town, Brett Herron, stated that he has inherited the complex task of curbing banditry in areas where municipal and provincial authorities have effectively withdrawn support. Herron emphasized that issues related to children falling into the hands of gangs in Cape Flats are matters of social justice, not just policing. He noted that while Lieutenant General Danti's responsibility lies in preventative measures and arrests, solving the problem of gang culture rests with the City and the Province.

Linda Jones, a public relations officer for the Mitchells Plain United Residence association, expressed support for the appointment, hoping the commissioner would focus on eradicating corruption between law enforcement agencies and certain gangs. She also highlighted the need for strong investigators who conduct thorough investigations before bringing charges or making arrests.

Civil Society Stance

Ilitha Labantu representative, Siyabulela Monakali, acknowledged the significant responsibility placed on Danti to strengthen public safety and restore trust. Monakali noted that gang activity has devastating consequences for many Western Cape communities, affecting life, safety, education, causing substance abuse, and putting women, children, and youth at risk of violence and exploitation.

However, Ilitha Labantu stressed that banditry is not an isolated phenomenon. It is a consequence of multiple interconnected factors that have created conditions for gangs to thrive. Monakali listed such factors as poverty, unemployment, inequality, substance abuse, inadequate housing, limited economic opportunities, and the legacy of apartheid spatial planning. Therefore, fighting banditry requires not only effective policing but also continuous investment in prevention programs, youth development, education, employment, social support, and community-level interventions aimed at addressing the root causes of violence.

The death of Bronwyn Heslop occurred in the Durban North area two weeks ago. The woman was killed on Sunday, July 12th. According to paramedics' report, when they arrived at the scene on Blackburn Road in Durban North, she had already died from gunshot wounds. Two other people were also injured in the incident: a young boy and a delivery driver. The woman's funeral took place on Thursday, July 21st. The shooter has not yet been arrested, but it is suspected that the victim knew her killer.

The woman, whose name was Bronwyn Heslop, was a wife, mother, sister, and friend. Following her death, a TikTok account was created in the hope that Heslop's murder would not go unpunished, and messages of condolence flooded the network.

Reaction from acquaintances and activists

An acquaintance of Heslop, speaking to IOL, described her as 'a kind, caring person with a big heart.' He added that although they were not close friends, she always gave 'such beautiful, loving hugs.' This case of brutal murder has once again intensified calls for more decisive action against perpetrators of gender-based violence.

Sabrina Walter, founder of Women For Change, expressed shock and deep sorrow over Heslop's death, sending condolences to her family, especially her three children who will now face life without their mother. Walter noted that Bronwyn's circumstances of death reflect a common pattern in cases of violence against women, particularly when victims attempt to leave abusive relationships.

According to her, reports indicate that Bronwyn had long wanted to leave her marriage and allegedly obtained a protection order after accusations of abuse and domestic violence. Walter emphasized that women are at the highest risk when trying to leave abusive relationships. She insisted on the critical importance of supporting protection orders with effective systems capable of protecting survivors from further harm, stressing that no woman should lose her life while choosing safety and freedom.

Calls to action and statistics

Walter stated that this case must serve as a reminder of the urgent need to strengthen measures against gender-based violence and femicide in South Africa. She expressed hope for justice for Bronwyn and called for the National Disaster on GBV, declared last November, to move from declaration to full implementation, as every delay endangers women.

Benedicta van Minnen from DA Women’s Network (DAWN) also voiced concern, noting that ongoing acts of violence call into question the ability of law enforcement agencies to prevent such crimes. She stated that SAPS, in her opinion, is failing its constitutional mandate to ensure citizen safety, and insisted that the focus must be on ensuring accountability and justice for Heslop and her family.

Minister in the President for Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities, Sindisiwe Chikunga, stressed that the scale of gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF) cannot be reduced to statistics, as every figure represents a life lost to violence. She called on men to take responsibility for ending violence against women and children, urging society to oppose harmful attitudes and toxic masculinity.

The South African Council for Medical Research, through its Gender and Health Research Unit, confirmed that South Africa continues to have one of the highest rates of femicide in the world. A woman is killed every few hours approximately six times more often than the global average, most often by someone who once claimed her love. These cases are not impersonal figures, but daughters, mothers, and sisters whose lives have been stolen within an ongoing national emergency.

Help and resources

The article also provided contact details for various support services, including the South African Government's GBV Command Centre, the Department of Social Development, People Opposing Woman Abuse (POWA), Action Breaks Silence, Lifeline, SA Depression & Anxiety Group, and Stop Gender Violence and Women Abuse.

President Cyril Ramaphosa announced the allocation of R156 billion for the development of water supply and sanitation infrastructure over the next three years. He warned that municipalities and officials failing to ensure proper management of water services could face legal consequences as the government intensifies efforts to combat the escalating water crisis in South Africa.

Details of the investment plan

In his weekly bulletin on Monday, Ramaphosa presented a series of measures aimed at expanding access to safe and reliable water, improving the condition of outdated infrastructure, and increasing accountability in the water sector. These announcements came amid growing dissatisfaction from households and businesses affected by constant water shortages, deteriorating infrastructure, and poor quality municipal services in various parts of the country.

The President stated that under a broader program of public infrastructure investments, the government has allocated R156 billion for water and sanitation infrastructure over three years. He emphasized that this funding is part of a general strategy to eliminate water insecurity and improve access to water in underserved communities.

New program and its implementation

A key element of the plan is the launch of the National Water Access Acceleration Programme. This programme will focus on providing water through decentralized supply schemes, such as borehole drilling projects, groundwater development, and rainwater harvesting systems. The programme was officially launched in Hammanskraal, Gauteng province, a community that has faced water supply problems for years and experienced a cholera outbreak in 2023.

Under this initiative, residents were provided with boreholes, and the Klipdrift treatment plant was commissioned. Similar projects are being implemented in the regions of Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, and the Eastern Cape.

Acknowledging problems and control measures

Ramaphosa noted the progress made since the start of democracy in expanding water access but admitted that the government has failed to adequately maintain infrastructure and guarantee reliable service in many municipalities. He stated that in too many municipalities, the government has struggled with infrastructure maintenance, water service management, and timely response.

Despite constitutional guarantees of water access, some communities continue to experience severe water shortages, water quality deterioration, and infrastructure damage. To address these issues, the National Water Crisis Committee was established at the beginning of this year, coordinating interventions at all levels of government. This committee is responsible for strengthening municipal water supply and sanitation systems, increasing infrastructure investment, reforming institutions, and combating corruption in the sector.

Legislative reforms and accountability

Furthermore, Ramaphosa announced legislative reforms, including a draft amendment to the municipal services act. This bill is expected to strengthen enforcement measures and introduce greater accountability for municipal officials. The President warned that the government will not hesitate to take action against municipalities and officials who fail to comply with environmental and water legislation. He specified that in cases of non-compliance, the government will apply available enforcement mechanisms, including directives, criminal proceedings, and, if permitted by law, personal liability.

Ramaphosa called water security one of the government's most urgent priorities, noting that communities suffering from water scarcity have every right to demand action. He stressed that households and businesses experiencing interruptions, and underserved communities waiting for piped water 32 years after gaining democracy, are rightly tired of waiting. He compared this situation to efforts to reduce power outages, stating that coordinated action, emergency interventions, and long-term structural reforms are necessary to resolve the water crisis. The ultimate goal, he said, is not just to overcome the current crisis but to realize Madiba's vision that all citizens of South Africa can enjoy their constitutional right to water and that this right is secured for future generations.