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- The government has identified 30 hotspots where gender violence and femicide are most frequent.
- President CYril Ramaphosa announced that the government would increase and improve support for survivors of gender-based violence, particularly at hotspots.
- Services include an integrated, multidisciplinary model that incorporates psychosocial support, case research, housing services, and economic empowerment for survivors.
The government will increase support for victims in 30 identified hotspots where gender-based violence (GBV) and femicide are most prevalent.
President Cyril Ramaphosa announced this Wednesday night when he said the country would move to Level 1 of the Covid-19 shutdown at midnight Sunday.
She said violence against women and children continued unabated during the pandemic in South Africa.
“We are determined to continue our determination to confront the scourge of gender-based violence and femicide,” the president said.
READ | The husband who allegedly killed the wife inside the police station makes his first court appearance
Ramaphosa said there was an increase in incidents of gender-based violence and femicide across the country during Level 3 of the lockdown.
Ramaphosa referenced two recent cases: that of Tshegofatso Pule, who was found stabbed and hanging from a tree in Roodepoort, and Naledi Phangindawo, who was the victim of an ax attack and was eventually stabbed to death in Mossel Bay.
More recently, in September, a man allegedly shot and killed his wife inside a police station in Mthatha, Eastern Cape, while she was reporting a case of domestic violence.
In the Western Cape, a 20-year-old man was arrested on September 6 after a woman was found murdered with a rope around her neck.
In his address to the nation, Ramaphosa said that based on the most recent data, they had identified 30 hotspots across the country where the problem was most common.
READ | ‘Increase’ in gender-based violence during level 3 confinement, says Ramaphosa
“As we move to the next level of alert, we are increasing and improving support services for survivors of gender-based violence, particularly at the identified hotspots,” Ramaphosa said.
“We have to do it, not only because the blockade is being relaxed, but as part of the work that is already underway to implement the National Strategic Plan adopted by the Cabinet earlier this year.”
Ramaphosa said this would include the implementation of an integrated, multidisciplinary model that incorporates psychosocial support, case research, housing services and economic empowerment for survivors.
He added that the Khuseleka One Stop Centers would expand the mandate of the existing network of Thuthuzela Care Centers and that they were already operational in the Northwest, Limpopo and Eastern Cape districts.
“Work is being done to expand this care and support model to all provinces.
“Let us spare no effort to eradicate the problem of violence against women and children.”
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