Pretoria: Government is set to increase the national footprint of sexual offences courts as part of the fight against gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF).
According to South African Government News Agency, the initiative will focus on rural communities with the establishment of an additional 16 sexual offences courts and two Thuthuzela Care Centers (TCCs). Justice and Constitutional Development Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi emphasized that these courts will address the alarming rates of sexual violence and provide tailored support services for survivors of sex crimes. The announcement was made during the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development Budget Vote.
The Minister highlighted the devastating impact of GBVF on individuals and communities, reiterating the department’s commitment to a victim-centric approach. This strategy aims to protect victims, especially women and children, and prevent case mishandling and secondary victimization.
Over the 2024-25 period, the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) reported 3,697 convictions related to sexual offences, with over 79% resulting in direct imprisonment. Additionally, 44,147 victims received support at the 66 TCCs across the country. In collaboration with the South African Police Service (SAPS), the DNA project processed 60,518 DNA samples to track repeat offenders and serial rapists.
The department plans to ensure that all convicted sex offenders are registered in the National Register for Sexual Offenders (NRSO) and will review legislation to allow public access to this register. It also aims to expedite the serving of protection orders by court clerks within 24 hours of receipt.
In matters related to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC), the Minister called for societal collaboration to heal past divisions. The TRC’s recommendations, approved by Parliament in 2003, include reparations such as a once-off grant of R30,000, medical benefits, and community rehabilitation to restore human dignity. Interim reparations paid amount to nearly R53 million, with final grants totaling just under R500 million.
The education sector benefited from reparations, with 11,934 learners and 1,922 students funded, receiving R137 million and R132 million, respectively. The Gallows Exhumation project has handed over 76 of 180 recovered remains to families, with two remaining cases to be concluded this year.
Regarding TRC-related criminal cases, 158 separate investigations are underway, including reopened inquests and formal inquiries. President Cyril Ramaphosa established a Judicial Commission of Inquiry to investigate allegations of interference in TRC case investigations, chaired by retired Constitutional Court Judge Sisi Khampepe.
In the fight against fraud, the department will collaborate with key partners, including SAPS, the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI), and the South African Revenue Service (SARS). The Asset Forfeiture Unit (AFU) of the NPA recovered over R3.9 billion in ill-gotten gains through the Corporate Alternative Dispute Resolution mechanism.
For the 2024/25 financial year, the Special Investigation Unit (SIU) recovered more than R833 million in cash, assets worth R1.3 billion, and set aside irregular contracts worth R5.6 billion, preventing a potential state loss of R2.7 billion. The SIU plans to enhance anti-corruption measures, including a Lifestyle Audit Unit and acquiring an advanced lifestyle audit analytics tool. These efforts aim to protect whistle-blowers and personnel integral to anti-corruption initiatives.