Government is set to increase the national footprint of sexual offences courts as part of the fight against gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF).
“Going forward, we will increase the national footprint of sexual offences courts, particularly in rural communities with additional 16 sexual offences courts to be established in line with the recent amendments to the law and two additional TCCs (Thuthuzela Care Centers).
“The Sexual Offences Courts shall assist to deal with the alarming figures of sexual violence in the country and offer support services that are tailor-made for the survivors of sex crime,” Justice and Constitutional Development Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi said.
This as she tabled the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development Budget Vote on Wednesday.The Minister said that GBVF continues to devastate individuals and communities.
“We have a duty to do all that we can to protect the victims of gender-based violence, especially women and children. In this connection, the department has adopted a victim biased and victim centric approach which puts the victim first to avoid case bungling which gets perpetrators off the hook and secondary victimisation.”
This as over the 2024-25 period, the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) recorded 3 697 convictions in relation to sexual offence with over 79% convicted with direct imprisonment, while 44 147 victims were supported at the 66 TCCs across the country.
“In collaboration with [the] SAPS [South African Police Service], the DNA project has processed 60 518 DNA samples to track and deal with repeat sexual offenders and serial rapists.”
Additionally, the department will ensure that all convicted sex offenders are registered in the National Register for Sexual Offenders (NRSO) and initiate a process to review legislation that is currently an inhibitor to the public release of this register.
The department further plans to ensure that protection orders are served by the clerk of the court on the respondent no later than 24 hours from the time the order is received by the clerk of the court.
Soweto Sunrise News
