Nationwide GBVF shutdown sees thousands demand urgent government action

Thousands of South Africans took part in a nationwide shutdown today, observing 15 minutes of silence and a symbolic lie-down to honour victims of Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (GBVF).

The action, led by Women for Change ahead of this weekend’s G20 Summit, intensified long-standing calls for GBVF to be declared a national state of disaster. It follows President Cyril Ramaphosa’s recent move to classify GBVF as a national crisis — something activists say is long overdue.

At Constitution Hill, crowds filled the precinct with chants and placards, demanding decisive action as new figures show nearly 6,000 women were killed in South Africa in just one year.

As part of the shutdown, women, children and LGBTQI+ community members were urged to abstain from all forms of labour in a show of collective resistance.

Women for Change spokesperson Cameron Kasambala said the president’s announcement felt reactive and driven by international pressure.

“I think his back was in a corner and I think that the fear in realising that this team of five had managed to make this global event that moved countries and citizens across the world and then he realised, I’ve messed up and I need to do something to cover my back and now that he’s admitted it and he said it at that G20 summit in front of all these international audiences, he has put himself on this block and he has said I’m going to take account of it and we’re going to do this properly and that means it’s not just us within South Africa calling him out, the whole world is watching for him to do the right thing.”

– GBVF marchers fill Braamfontein streets –

The demonstration later spilled into Braamfontein streets, as marchers moved from Constitution Hill. As marchers moved through Johannesburg, passing motorists hooted in support while schoolchildren and LGBTQI+ individuals joined the protest.

Demonstrators accused government of failing to address the systemic violence faced by women and children, and said marginalised communities continue to be treated as second-class citizens.

A queer protester, Daniel Mthembu, said as a victim of sexual assault he does not feel safe on Johannesburg’s streets.

“I mean, for the last couple of months, it has been the Madlanga Commission every single day and I understand, it’s important, but also, men and women, or should I say queer men and women, are murdered every single day. This very year, I was assaulted, sexually, and to this day, I don’t know what happened to the case. The person is roaming freely around in the streets and it really makes you wonder who then gets to take care of us if the government at the top isn’t making initiative,” he said.

In a major development today, the National Disaster Management Centre officially classified GBVF as a national disaster. COGTA Minister, Velenkosini Hlabisa, said the move compels all state organs to strengthen response efforts, activate contingency plans, and align with national crisis-management protocols.

– Justice for South Africa hands over demands –

Justice for South Africa, which joined the march, delivered a memorandum to the Johannesburg Central Police Station, accusing the justice system of negligence in handling GBV cases. They are calling for mandatory annual GBVF sensitivity and trauma-informed training for all police officers.

A heavy police presence monitored the crowd, with frustration mounting after officers failed to produce a senior female official to receive the memorandum as earlier promised.

– Activists threaten full national shutdown –

The organisation has given SAPS until Monday to respond — or face a full national shutdown.

Their demands include a digital case-tracking system that allows survivors to monitor GBV cases from reporting to resolution. They warn that failure to act will lead to constitutional litigation over what they call systemic failures to protect victims.

Organisers compared today’s march to the spirit of the 1976 Soweto Uprising — symbolic, defiant and rooted in resistance.

Police have acknowledged receiving the memorandum and say it will be escalated to Gauteng Provincial Commissioner Tommy Mthombeni.

Written by: Lebohang Ndashe