With decisive court rulings and a 90-day intensification strategy, South Africa has delivered a decisive blow against gender-based violence (GBV) and femicide in the week ending 16 May 2025.
In that period, courts around the country took firm action against GBV offenders, imposing harsh sentences to deter future crimes and deliver justice for survivors. The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) has intensified efforts to hold perpetrators accountable, ensuring GBV cases receive rigorous judicial attention.
One of the most high-profile convictions came from the Gqeberha High Court, where Moses Gqesha received eight life sentences, plus 34 additional years, for the kidnapping and rape of businesswoman Andy Kawa. Meticulous DNA investigations linked Gqesha to the crime, securing a definitive conviction.
Acting Provincial Commissioner for the Eastern Cape, Major General Thandiswa Kupiso, emphasised the sentence’s impact on restoring justice and reinforcing multi-disciplinary efforts against GBV. “This judgment advances the state of parity and emancipation of women while strengthening collaborative law enforcement efforts, ensuring perpetrators are held accountable,” Kupiso stated.
In Pretoria, a 59-year-old police captain accused of raping a 20-year-old female police trainee remains remanded in custody after failing a bail application. The victim alleges she was threatened with dismissal, highlighting abuse of power within policing structures.
In the Zeerust Regional Court, perpetrators Gopolang Seikaneng and Jacob Mosimane Sebogodi were sentenced to life imprisonment for the brutal rape of two young women. They deceptively offered the victims transport home, before attacking them in an abandoned house, an act that underscores predatory behavior disguised as assistance.
Meanwhile, in Soshanguve, a couple was sentenced to life imprisonment for the murder of their one-year-old daughter. Other grave convictions include the rape of an elderly woman by her grandson, and a senior official’s sentencing for assaulting a 16-year-old girl.
National GBV response strategy
In response to rising GBV-related crimes, Cabinet has approved a 90-day emergency intervention, accelerating the National Strategic Plan on GBVF. Spearheaded by the Justice, Crime Prevention and Security (JCPS) Cluster, the initiative prioritises 19 key areas aimed at reducing GBV rates.
Minister in the Presidency, Khumbudzo Ntshavheni, highlighted six core interventions for implementation:
- Education and awareness campaigns to drive behavioral change.
- Criminal justice system enhancements to ensure swift convictions.
- Legal and regulatory reforms for better systemic effectiveness.
- Improved data and case management to increase judicial efficiency.
- Community mobilization and partnerships to unify national efforts.
- Resource allocation to bolster institutional capacity for GBV prevention.
“The National Joint Operational and Intelligence Structure has mobilised a priority committee to oversee these interventions and drive immediate action,” Ntshavheni stated.
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