Pretoria: The Portfolio Committee on Community Safety in the Gauteng Provincial Legislature has urged victims of crime, particularly those affected by gender-based violence (GBV), to refrain from withdrawing criminal cases against perpetrators. This call comes amid growing concerns about a trend that threatens to undermine efforts to combat GBV and ensure justice for victims.
According to South African Government News Agency, the committee raised this issue during an oversight visit to the Fochville Police Station on Friday, followed by a stakeholder engagement session at Greenspark Community Hall. During these engagements, the committee was alarmed by a report from the Station Commander indicating that 64 GBV cases had been withdrawn by victims, allowing alleged perpetrators to evade justice and remain a threat within their communities.
Police reports suggest that these withdrawals are often driven by financial inducements from perpetrators and pressure from families, who encourage victims to ‘resolve matters privately’. The committee strongly condemns this practice, warning that it not only places victims at further risk but also undermines the integrity of the criminal justice system. The withdrawal of serious cases such as GBV enables repeat offenses, including rape, assault, and even murder.
The committee urges communities to stand with victims and allow the law to take its course. Furthermore, the committee emphasised that this pattern is not isolated to Fochville but is emerging as a province-wide concern, threatening progress in reducing crime and securing justice for survivors.
The committee calls on all stakeholders, including traditional leaders, community-based organisations, and faith-based institutions, to actively educate communities on the importance of reporting GBV and pursuing justice. Victims must be protected and supported, not silenced or coerced.
As part of its ongoing Focused Intervention Study on SAPS compliance with the Domestic Violence Act, the Committee will continue to engage stakeholders and monitor police stations across Gauteng to ensure accountability and improved service delivery in the fight against GBV.