The Democratic Alliance in Limpopo is concerned that while the 16 Days of Activism campaign is bureaucratically rolled out annually, the crime statistics for the first and second quarters of 2025/26 record increases in reported sexual offences of 11% and 5.4% respectively.
The rise in sexual offences during the first half of the year, with 916 reported cases in the first quarter and a further 957 in the second quarter, for a combined total of 1873 cases in just six months, highlights persistent misguided efforts to instil a lack of zero tolerance for gender-based violence and femicide (GBV+F) in our society. This made worse by a lack of resources and experienced investigating officers.
During the same period, 3691 incidents of domestic violence were reported, 39 of which were murder cases.
The latest StatsSA report on child victims of crime based on SAPS crime statistics indicate that of all crimes committed in Limpopo against children, 54.3% were for rape, the highest percentage nationally. The percentage of sexual assault against children in Limpopo also increased steadily from around four percent in 2010/11 to around six percent in 2022/23.
The Thohoyandou policing area remains a longstanding rape hotspot, indicative of a lack of resources and failed or ineffective interventions.
Residences of perpetrator/victim and public places are the place of occurrence for most reported rape cases in Limpopo; increased police patrols or presence in rape hotspots like Thohoyandou will act as deterrence.
Behind every statistic is a woman and child whose life will never be the same; known psychological effects of GBV are depression, self -isolation, a feeling of worthlessness and anger which is often directed towards children; this tragically perpetuates the cycle of violence.
The DA believes that GBV can only be effectively eradicated with:
- Sensitised police services to minimise secondary victimisation
- Funded shelters
- Trained doctors, nurses and social workers
- DNA labs that do not collapse under political neglect.
We call on the MEC for Transport and Community Safety, Violet Mathye, to utilise the Court Watch programme specifically to track GBV cases to measure the effectiveness of SAPS, the National Prosecuting Authority and the Courts in the support of victims.
This information and transparent statistics on all GBV+F must be presented to the portfolio committee quarterly.
Violence against women and children erode the moral fibre of society; the DA is committed to ensure that the provincial government and SAPS are held accountable in addressing the current unacceptable culture of rape and domestic violence related crimes in the province.