Survivors and families put hopes in landmark GBV, femicide inquiry

On paper, South Africa has laws, policies and institutions to protect survivors of gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF). In reality, too many people are still waiting for justice and support. Survivors and their families in the Eastern Cape have shared harrowing accounts of trauma, prolonged delays in the criminal justice system and inadequate support as a landmark national inquiry seeks to examine how SA responds to GBV and femicide.

The commissions have invited written and oral submissions from survivors of GBVF, families of survivors, civil society, nongovernment and community-based organisations, legal practitioners, researchers, academics, service providers, experts and any other institutions or individuals who have information that may assist the inquiry. The closing date for submissions is August 3, with details regarding public hearings, participation arrangements and procedures to be announced in due course. “Concerns relating to delayed reporting processes, barriers experienced by survivors when accessing justice institutions, inconsistent victim support services, fragmented co-ordination between institutions, and challenges within pre-trial processes continue to require urgent examination and systemic intervention,” the commissions said in a joint statement.

Among those hoping the inquiry will bring meaningful change for victims and their families is a grandfather from Maladini village, near Qumbu. His six-year-old granddaughter was raped last year. “The suspect was apprehended by community members in December last year and [he allegedly] admitted to raping my granddaughter,” the grandfather said. “He was arrested, but later we found out he had been released after the case was withdrawn.” He told the Daily Dispatch the family were not told why the matter had been withdrawn and found out only when they saw the former suspect walking around the village.