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The Thuthuzela Care Centre in Mpumalanga pictured at its relaunch on 13 November 2024.
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) is working with a care centre at the Themba Hospital in KaBokweni in Mpumalanga to ensure that gender-based violence (GBV) cases are ready for court.
The Thuthuzela Care Centre (TCC) was relaunched at the hospital after the Commission for Gender Equality criticised the NPA and the South African Police Service (SAPS) for the alarming rate at which GBV cases are withdrawn in the province.
NPA case manager at the care, Advocate Antoinette Nkosi says, “When the case emanates from the Thuthuzela Care Centre, I go through the docket from the centre because we also call the police. They come to the victim at the centre and we further provide psychosocial services together with our partners, the Department of Social Development. We provide counselling to the victim. Everything happens at the centre and when the case leaves the centre, I make sure it is trial-ready as we endeavour to make sure that we secure convictions in most of our sexual offences cases and gender-based violence cases.”
Nearly 40% of SA women face physical and sexual violence
The first-ever gender-based violence Study in South Africa shows that almost 40% of women in the country experience physical and sexual violence in their lives.
The South African National Gender-Based Violence Study was published by the Human Sciences Research Council this week.
It reveals that the country has some of the highest rates of gender-based violence, including rape, femicide and domestic abuse.
Emotional, economic and controlling behaviours were also prevalent, with younger and Black African women disproportionately affected.
Findings also show that intimate partner violence was a significant issue, while women from age 15 were affected by violence perpetrated by family members.
The study is calling for a comprehensive national action plan.
