Alarming rates of GBV in KZN demands urgent action

THE Deputy Director-General for Stakeholder Coordination in the Office of the Premier, Dr Sabelo Gwala, has recently emphasised the urgent need for more robust action to combat gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF) in KwaZulu-Natal.

- THOBEKA NGEMA

His remarks, made during the recent KZN Provincial Council on AIDS meeting, underscored the alarming GBVF rates plaguing communities, particularly in the eThekwini, uMgungundlovu, and King Cetshwayo districts.

Gwala said that part of the National Strategic Plan on GBVF was a gender machinery and forums, established across all districts.

He said that on the status of functionality, three districts (uMgungundlovu, uMzinyathi, and Zululand) failed to meet for three months (July, August, and September).

Gwala said GBVF programmes implemented during July to September 2025 include community-based prevention, reaching parents and children, substance abuse intervention, positive masculinity programmes for men, and engaging traditional leaders.

He said the Office of the Premier monitored GBVF hotspots, with cases ranging from attempted murder, rape, sexual assault, assault with the purpose to inflict grievous bodily harm, and common assault. Common assault and assault with intent to inflict grievous bodily harm decreased in 2025 compared to 2024.

However, rape increased.