'No way police can lead fight against GBV': Police minister Senzo Mchunu
Minister of police, Senzo Mchunu.
Image: Werner Hills
Police minister Senzo Mchunu told parliament the SA Police Service (SAPS) cannot be expected to lead the fight against gender-based violence (GBV).
'There is no way SAPS can lead the fight against GBV,' Mchunu told MPs.
'That's one view we are discouraging from within SAPS — to portray themselves as the fight against GBV. It is not true and it's impractical.'
Instead Mchunu called for a broader, society-wide approach to combating the scourge of violence, particularly against women and children.
'We must all get involved as opposed to saying SAPS are leading and then pose a barrage of questions solely to SAPS,' he said.
'Post-incident, yes, we do investigate arrests and pursue justice. But prevention is not solely the job of the police.'
Some opposition MPs did not take kindly to the remarks.
ACDP leader Rev Kenneth Meshoe acknowledged the role of other sectors but said the police must shoulder a central role. 'I agree that there are other stakeholders that have to be involved in attempting to reduce GBV,' he said.
'But whenever there is violence — no matter what kind — the police must take responsibility to ensure the safety and security. They must make sure those men who are violent are arrested.'
Meshoe warned that if the SAPS failed to prioritise GBV, women and children would remain vulnerable.
Mchunu responded that police are not seeking to escape responsibility but rather emphasising that prevention requires community-wide involvement.
Last month Mchunu presented the country's latest crime statistics which painted a grim picture. 'Women remain disproportionately affected by rape, assault GBH and murder. Our resolve to fight GBVF is unwavering,' he said.
South Africa continues to face one of the highest rates of GBV in the world. According to Stats SA one in three women aged 16 and older has experienced physical violence, while one in five has suffered sexual abuse. The Human Sciences Research Council found that 33.1% of women aged 18 and older have endured physical violence in their lifetime.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
TimesLIVE
an hour ago
- TimesLIVE
Wanted Mozambican kidnapper killed by cops in Fourways
In yet another success story for the national anti-kidnapping task team, a wanted Mozambican kidnapper was shot dead this week during a tracing operation in Johannesburg. National police spokesperson Brig Athlende Mathe said the anti-kidnapping task team traced a Mozambican kidnapping kingpin to a block of apartments in Fourways. 'The team was tracing a kidnapped Pakistani businessman from Pretoria West. He is still in captivity and the team is still searching for [him]. A ransom demand has been made to the businessman's family,' Mathe said. The tracing operation began at a residential complex in Midrand where they seized a Mercedes-Benz, a silver Pajero and arrested two kidnappers. 'They proceeded to Fourways where the task team announced their arrival and a shoot-out ensued. One suspect was fatally wounded and upon further investigation, it was discovered that 40-year-old Mauro Mucambe Junior is a wanted kidnapping kingpin in Mozambique where he has been linked to several kidnappings. His warrant of arrest was issued by Maputo police in August 2024.' One unlicensed firearm used by the fugitive was seized, including 10 rounds of ammunition. Four cellphones and four bank cards were also seized. 'The SAPS has full faith and confidence in the work of the anti-kidnapping task team to rescue the kidnapped businessman. Since January 2024, the team has arrested more than 170 criminals involved in kidnappings for ransom. More than R1.2m has been recovered. More than 100 victims were rescued mainly in Gauteng and more than 40 vehicles used in kidnapping crimes were seized by the team. 'The anti-kidnapping task team recently registered a breakthrough in the Olorato Mongale murder case where they led the tracing operation of Philangenkosi Makhanya. The search is still on for Bongani Mthimkhulu,' Mathe said.
The South African
an hour ago
- The South African
Mozambican kidnapping kingpin shot dead in Fourways
Police have shot and killed a Mozambican kidnapping kingpin to a block of apartments in Fourways, Johannesburg this week. The alleged kingpin was traced at a block of flats in Fourways, Johannesburg as the anti-kidnapping task team was searching for a kidnapped Pakistani businessman from Pretoria West. He is still in captivity and the team are still searching for the Pakistani national. A ransom demand has been made to the businessman's family. National police spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe said a ransom demand was made to the Pakistani national's family. The team is still searching for the businessman who is still in captivity. Mathe said the team's tracing operation began at a residential complex in Carlswald, Midrand where they seized a Mercedes Benz, a silver Pajero and arrested two kidnappers. They proceeded to Fourways where the task team announced their arrival and a shoot-out ensued. 'One suspect was fatally wounded and upon further investigation, it was discovered that 40-year-old Mauro Mucambe Junior is a wanted kidnapping kingpin in Mozambique where he has been linked to several kidnappings. His warrant of arrest was issued by Maputo Police in August 2024. 'One unlicensed firearm used by the fatally wounded fugitive of justice was seized including 10 rounds of ammunition. Four cellphones, four bank cards have also been seized,' Mathe explained. Mathe said the SAPS has full faith and confidence in the work of the anti-kidnapping task team to rescue the kidnapped businessman. Since January 2024 to date, the team has arrested more than 170 criminals involved in Kidnappings for ransom and over R1.2 million has been recovered. In addition, more than 100 victims have been rescued mainly in Gauteng and more than 40 vehicles used in kidnapping crimes were also seized by the team. 'The anti-kidnapping task team recently registered a breakthrough in the Olorato Mongale murder case where they led the tracing operation of Philangenkosi Makhanya. The search is still on for Bongani Mthimkhulu.' Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X, and Bluesky for the latest news.
IOL News
an hour ago
- IOL News
Notorious Mozambican kidnapping kingpin killed in a shootout with Gauteng police
Gauteng police shot dead Mauro Mucambe Junior, a notorious kidnapping kingpin from Mozambique, wanted for his alleged involvement in a series of high-profile kidnappings. The South African Police Service (SAPS) has shot dead 40-year-old Mauro Mucambe Junior, a notorious kidnapping kingpin from Mozambique, wanted for his alleged involvement in a series of high-profile kidnappings. The incident took place on Saturday, June 21, 2025, in Fourways, Johannesburg, as the police continued their desperate search for a kidnapped Pakistani businessman. National police spokesperson, Brigadier Athlenda Mathe, provided insights into the operation, revealing that Mucambe was tracked down following an extensive manhunt initiated by the Maputo Police in August 2024. Mathe said the team began their operation at a residential complex in Carlswald, Midrand, where they seized a Mercedes Benz, a silver Pajero, and arrested two kidnappers. "They proceeded to Fourways where the task team announced their arrival and a shoot-out ensued. One suspect was fatally wounded and upon further investigation, it was discovered that 40-year-old Mauro Mucambe Junior is a wanted kidnapping kingpin in Mozambique where he has been linked to several kidnappings," she said.
