Gauteng shifts from talk to action as authorities intensify GBVF crackdown

Gauteng authorities are stepping up the fight against gender-based violence, femicide and violent crime, with law enforcement warning that pressure to make arrests will not come at the expense of sensitive and thorough investigations.

Premier Panyaza Lesufi briefed the media on Friday, saying police are using technology, specialised investigative teams and forensic resources to track suspects linked to unresolved cases, particularly following the discovery of women’s bodies in Ekurhuleni and other parts of the province.

Lesufi says authorities will not rush to make arrests or release sensitive information before investigations are ready, warning that premature disclosures could compromise potential breakthroughs and jeopardise prosecutions.

“Some of the information that needs to be placed in the public domain, we have to be extra careful. We don’t have to be reckless. Regardless of the pressures that we have, the police are having sensitive information that if we can’t manage it correctly, it will defeat the purpose. So our argument is very simple utilizing technology so that at the right time they can be in a position to say they’ve made this kind of a breakthrough.”

The province has outlined a multi-sectoral response that includes auditing unresolved cases, clearing forensic backlogs and deploying specialised investigative units.

Ten police stations recording high numbers of rape cases, including Ivory Park, Rosebank and Alexandra, have also been ring-fenced for targeted policing and victim-support resources.

Municipalities have been given seven days to audit safety risks, including broken streetlights, overgrown areas and unsafe public facilities.

Gauteng Police Commissioner, Tommy Mthombeni, says police are taking a two-pronged approach, combining targeted investigations with high-visibility joint operations.

“As the South African Police Service, we have subdivided our intervention into a two-pronged approach. In that first prong, we were in a position to resolve the cases. We currently have cases which are resolved. Out of these 11 cases, we have cases, particularly in Kempton Park, where we have identified persons of interest and we are pursuing them so that we can inform the public as and when we have resolved those cases. We are encouraging the community to come forward because most of these cases we are resolving is through the help of the community.”

The investigation teams include forensic experts and investigative psychologists, while police have offered a R400,000 reward for information that could assist in identifying and arresting perpetrators.

A Joint Operational Centre has also been established in Kempton Park to coordinate operations involving law enforcement and other stakeholders.

The response follows President Cyril Ramaphosa’s urgent directives on GBVF and comes amid growing concern over violent crime and the discovery of women’s bodies across Gauteng.

Authorities say the focus is now on translating these measures into concrete investigations, stronger policing and safer public spaces.

[WATCH]: Premier Panyaza @Lesufi has outlined key interventions to strengthen the province’s response to GBVF, in line with the mandate outlined by President Cyril Ramaphosa.

These include the National Case-Recovery Operation, forensic backlog reduction, municipal women’s safety… pic.twitter.com/nzQuYz7Ruh

— Gauteng Provincial Gov (@GautengProvince) October 2, 2026

Written by: Lebohang Ndashe