Women’s Month ends with South Africa losing the war against gender-based violence and femicide

28 August 2026

For Immediate Release

MISA, the Motor Industry Staff Association, says South Africa has lost the war against gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF) and describe this as a disgrace on the country’s national standing.

Martlé Keyter, MISA’s Chief Executive Officer: Operations, says it is disturbing that even Police Minister Professor Firoz Cachalia admitted GBVF has worsened between the annual Child Protection Week in May and Women’s Month, but seems to have no solution or recourse. During just three months, the SAPS recorded 11 532 sexual offences, including 9 201 rapes and 1 589 sexual assaults.

“South Africa cannot claim progress while women and children remain afraid in their homes and communities. We cannot spend August celebrating the achievements and contribution of South African women while thousands of women continue to live in fear of becoming the next victim. Women’s Month must be about more than speeches, events and promises,” says Keyter as South Africa reaches the end of Women’s Month.

According to Cachalia GBVF demands urgent attention from every sector of society and stressed that the protection of women, children and vulnerable people remains a national policing priority.

MISA says the decrease in murder and other serious crimes is encouraging and could indicate that targeted, intelligence-driven policing interventions are having an impact. However, 5 427 murders in only three months can never be regarded as acceptable.

MISA repeated its call for specialised Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences (FCS) units to be properly staffed, resourced and equipped. Detectives investigating crimes against women and children must have the training, capacity and resources required to build cases that can withstand scrutiny in court.

The Union is also concerned about the damage done to public confidence in the SAPS by allegations and revelations emerging before the Madlanga Commission. South Africa cannot effectively fight violent crime when communities lose faith in the very institution responsible for protecting them.

MISA stands with the thousands of honest and dedicated police officers who continue to serve their communities under extremely difficult circumstances. They deserve leadership, resources and systems that enable them to do their jobs effectively.

“Crime has a direct impact on workers and the economy. Our members do not stop being workers when they leave the workplace. They return to communities where they and their families must live with the reality of crime. Crime follows workers from their homes to the workplace and back again. It also undermines investment and job creation. Investors need confidence that their employees, customers and assets will be safe. A safer South Africa is not only a social imperative, it is fundamental to economic growth and the creation of the jobs our country desperately needs.

“The Minister is correct that protecting women and children requires action from every sector of society. But government carries the constitutional responsibility to ensure that the criminal justice system works. Women and children don't need another promise that they will be protected. They need to see perpetrators arrested, prosecuted and convicted. They need to be safe. That is the measure by which progress must ultimately be judged,” says Keyter.

Issued by Sonja Carstens, Manager of MISA’s Media & Communication Department, on behalf of the Union. For press enquiries, contact Phakamile Hlubi-Majola at 083 367 6417 or email [email protected].

#PROUDLYMISA #MISALEADS #MISACARES #MISAONTHEMOVE #MISAFAMILY