KZN's alarming rape statistics, need for urgent action

KWAZULU-Natal continues to report one of the highest rates of rape in South Africa, contributing 19.9% to the national total, according to the fourth quarter crime statistics released by the South African Police Service.

- SIPHESIHLE BUTHELEZI

Police Minister Senzo Mchunu said that in the quarter under review, provinces such as the Eastern Cape, Gauteng, Limpopo, North West, and the Western Cape recorded decreases in rape statistics. However, Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal remained the biggest contributors, at 19.1% and 19.9% respectively.

To address the crisis, Mchunu said the government had launched a 90-day Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (GBV+F) blitz. “This includes the revival of the Inter-Ministerial Committee on GBV+F, tasked with coordinating government interventions, resolving systemic bottlenecks, and ensuring measurable progress,” he said. The National Joint Operational and Intelligence Structure (NatJoints) is leading coordination of frontline safety and protection efforts.

But activists say the government's efforts are not addressing the deep-rooted and devastating reality facing women and children in the province.

“Its incredibly difficult to determine the true scale of sexual violence in South Africa because an estimated 95% of rape cases go unreported,” said Women For Change founder and executive director Sabrina Walter.