Ramaphosa orders 60-day probe into unresolved murders, rapes involving women and children

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa on Tuesday night announced a series of new measures against gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF), adding to ongoing efforts to combat the crisis. “I address you tonight with the heaviest of hearts. I speak as president of the Republic.

A specialized multidisciplinary task team, comprising detectives, Crime Intelligence officers, forensic experts, investigative psychologists, and digital investigators, has already been elevated to national level and deployed to investigate cases of femicide, Ramaphosa said, adding that some suspects have been arrested.

In his speech, Ramaphosa also ordered the ministers of police and justice to conduct a 60-day national audit of unresolved murders, attempted murders, rapes and serious sexual offenses involving women and children.

Police and forensic authorities were also given 60 days to implement a funded plan to clear forensic backlogs and set turnaround standards for priority GBVF cases. In closing his speech, the president vowed to “keep acting until every woman and every girl in South Africa can live in freedom, in dignity and in safety.”