South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has called on men to take more responsibility for violence against women and announced new measures to address it, following anger over a recent wave of murders.
Key facts
- President Cyril Ramaphosa called on men to take more responsibility for violence against women.
- Police will review unsolved murders, attempted murders and serious sexual offences against women and children within 60 days.
- A funded plan to reduce the forensic backlog for such cases is to be produced within 60 days.
- The measures follow public anger over a recent wave of murders of women.
South Africa’s president has called on men to take more responsibility for violence against women as he announced a set of measures to tackle the problem, according to the Guardian. The move comes amid widespread anger at authorities over a recent wave of murders.
President Cyril Ramaphosa acknowledged that not enough had been done to protect women, the Guardian reported. His comments reflect mounting public frustration over the handling of gender-based violence cases in the country.
As part of the response, Ramaphosa said police would review unsolved murders, attempted murders and serious sexual offences against women and children. That review is to be completed within 60 days.
The president also said authorities would produce a funded plan to reduce the forensic backlog for such cases, also within 60 days, according to the Guardian. A backlog in forensic analysis can delay investigations and prosecutions.
The announcement follows a recent series of killings of women that has fuelled criticism of how the authorities respond to gender-based violence. The president’s call for men to speak up and take responsibility places part of the emphasis on changing behaviour, alongside the institutional measures.
The Guardian reported the remarks and measures on 30 September 2026. Further details on how the reviews and funded plan will be carried out were not specified in the reporting.
Why it matters
Gender-based violence is a persistent and serious issue in South Africa, and the president's acknowledgement that not enough has been done signals official recognition of public anger. The announced reviews and forensic backlog plan could affect how quickly cases against women and children are investigated and prosecuted.
Frequently asked questions
What measures did President Ramaphosa announce?
He said police would review unsolved murders, attempted murders and serious sexual offences against women and children, and that a funded plan to reduce the forensic backlog would be produced, both within 60 days.
Why is the president calling on men to take responsibility?
According to the Guardian, Ramaphosa called on men to take more responsibility for violence against women amid anger at authorities over a recent wave of murders, acknowledging that not enough had been done to protect women.
When were these measures announced?
The measures were reported by the Guardian on 30 September 2026.