By Thapelo Molefe
The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) is calling on all victims of gender-based violence (GBV) and people with unresolved child maintenance cases to report their complaints to the party’s offices.
It said it was deeply concerned with how the police and justice system were failing women and children in South Africa. The party would now step in to help victims who were being ignored by the state.
This request comes after KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi revealing serious corruption and political interference within the South African Police Service (SAPS).
The EFF said these claims proved what the party has been saying for years, which was that many cases of GBV and child maintenance were unresolved because of corruption and neglect, not just poor service.
“Too many women and children are left without justice, as police officials abuse their power, stall investigations or protect perpetrators,” said party’s spokesperson Sinawo Thambo.
According to the EFF, many women were not taken seriously when they report GBV.
“Women seeking justice for GBV are routinely ignored, retraumatised or turned away,” Thambo said.
He added that some were told by the police to “go home and talk to him” or were denied case numbers altogether.
Thambo also pointed to serious problems in the country’s child maintenance system. The Department of Justice reported earlier this year that over 170,000 child maintenance applications were still incomplete.
“This is a maintenance system that is broken, backlogged and completely unresponsive,” Thambo said, adding that more than 44% of single mothers were raising children without any financial support.
The EFF is asking all victims who come forward to provide specific information to help track and escalate their cases.
This includes the case or docket number, the police station where the matter was originally reported, and the name of the investigating officer assigned to it.
“The EFF will compile these reports and pursue every case through legal and parliamentary channels to ensure no victim is silenced and no perpetrator is protected,” Thambo said.
“Let us expose the rot in the police service and fight for justice where the state refuses to do so.”
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