Hundreds unite against GBVF in march to Premier's Office

GENDER-based violence and femicide (GBVF) groups have secured a meeting with the Office of the Premier next week to address injustices faced by marginalised and vulnerable groups, following a march to the Premier’s Office in Kimberley this week.

The provincial march on June 18 was organised by the Sonke Gender Justice project in partnership with civil society organisations in the Northern Cape, traditional and religious leaders in Platfontein, and various non-governmental organisations.

Sonke Gender Justice specialist Fredalene Booysen said around 500 supporters and 35 GBVF partner organisations from across the Province – including Platfontein, Colville, Roodepan, Galeshewe, Ritchie, Warrenton, Hartswater, Delportshoop, Windsorton, Barkly West, Pniel, Kuruman, the Namakwa District, Upington, De Aar, Douglas, Hopetown, Griekwastad, Campbell and Schmidtsdrift – participated in the march.

“We wish to express our disappointment, frustration, and ongoing concern over how GBVF cases are handled in the province. Many cases go unreported, especially if committed by intimate partners or family members,” said Booysen.

She pointed out that they had yet to receive a response to a memorandum handed over by the Platfontein community during a march on November 27, 2024.

“We have given the Office of the Premier until September 30 to respond to our latest list of demands to ensure access to justice and protection for women and children. We call for greater police visibility, especially in outlying areas.”

Booysen added that survivors of crime did not have access to justice since the closure of the Galeshewe Magistrate’s Court, as many lacked the means to travel to the Kimberley Magistrate’s Court.

Shaine Griqua, director of the Shaine Griqua Advice and Development Centre, highlighted the high number of abuse and sexual offence cases that were withdrawn due to a lack of support.

“We are urging for a satellite police station to be opened in Platfontein. There is no public transport, and rape victims cannot walk 25 kilometres in the dark to report the crime. They are often met with indifference at police stations and risk being raped again on the road. Residents are often left to fend for themselves in the face of escalating violence, gang activity, drug abuse, and domestic abuse,” he said.

Griqua called for a comprehensive update on the investigation into the death of Palesa Speelman, who died while partaking in a spiritual ritual where she sustained severe burn wounds in 2024.

“To date, there have been no arrests or any clarity regarding the circumstances surrounding her death. Her case is not an exception. Many cases remain unresolved and neglected, with victims and their families left with no answers, no justice, and no peace.”

He added that community-based organisations were under-resourced and appealed to the government for assistance to continue offering counselling, trauma support, and awareness programmes for survivors of crime.

“The people of the Northern Cape deserve more than words – they deserve action, justice, and protection. We demand that the premier and his executive treat this crisis with the urgency and seriousness it warrants.”

Griqua indicated that activists refused to hand over the memorandum to a political advisor and instead requested that the MEC for Social Development, Nontobeka Vilakazi, accept it on behalf of the premier.

Premier Dr Zamani Saul was unavailable at the time, as he was attending the opening of the Northern Cape Provincial House of Traditional Leaders at the Northern Cape Provincial Legislature.

“We would like an audience with the premier in person, along with SAPS, Sol Plaatje Municipality, the Department of Social Development, and the Department of Safety and Liaison at next week's meeting, so that a comprehensive and holistic strategy can be devised to fight GBVF in the province,” said Griqua.

Advisor at the Office of the Premier, Zolile Monakali, said they would engage with the Department of Justice to investigate the delays in repairing the Galeshewe Magistrate’s Court and stated that more resources would be made available for GBVF matters in the new financial year.

“If there are structural problems with the building, an assessment must be done and the Department of Justice will have to take action. Civil society and government need to work together to fight the scourge of GBVF. A team from the Office of the Premier is working together with the provincial commissioner and the justice cluster to address these challenges,” Monakali added.