Political accountability once again takes center stage in South Africa as the Democratic Alliance (DA) calls on President Cyril Ramaphosa to sanction Minister of Women, Youth & Persons with Disabilities, Sindisiwe Chikunga, over her continued failure to form the National Council against Gender-Based Violence & Femicide. This development follows alarming statistics highlighting the rampant violence against women and children across South Africa.
According to the latest crime statistics, the threat against vulnerable groups remains at crisis levels. On average, 128 rapes and 76 murders are reported daily, creating calls for immediate action and accountability from leaders. The DA has expressed serious concerns about Chikunga's dereliction of duty, as the establishment of the council is seen as imperative for spearheading the national fight against gender-based violence (GBV).
“The DA has written to President Ramaphosa bringing to his attention Minister Chikunga's dereliction of her duty, as she refuses to constitute the National Council against Gender-Based Violence & Femicide,” stated Lisa Schickerling, DA MP, highlighting the urgency of the situation. The National Council was legislatively approved last year, yet its formation has been met with delays, raising questions about the commitment of Chikunga and the wider government to effectively combat GBV.
President Ramaphosa formally assented to the National Council on Gender-Based Violence & Femicide Act, which was expected to collaborate with several departments to coordinate efforts against these crimes. Yet, rather than activating the council, Minister Chikunga has reportedly avoided accountability by cancelling her appearance at the Parliament’s National Council of Provinces. The DA has flagged this as evading necessary scrutiny on her role.
“Until the National Council is constituted, there is no singular national coordination fighting GBV,” Schickerling said, underscoring the significant gap left unaddressed by the minister’s lack of action. The DA frames the establishment of the council not just as bureaucratic necessity but as fundamental to the safety and dignity of citizens—especially women and children.
The repercussions of Minister Chikunga's actions—or lack thereof—are seen as directly impacting the country's fight against GBV. The DA has taken steps to push for accountability by requesting the Minister to appear before the Police Portfolio committee, with hopes of addressing these failures directly. “We will fight for the safety of the people of South Africa, where all means available should be used,” Schickerling affirmed.
The push for accountability from the DA is not just about addressing one minister’s failures; it also highlights the broader expectation from the government to prioritize safety and gender equality. Activists and political leaders alike have voiced their concerns over the systemic issues contributing to GBV, calling for enhanced action and coordination at all government levels.
Schickerling and the DA are advocating for urgent measures to establish the National Council to coordinate national efforts against GBV. They are challenging the idea of complacency among political leaders who must be held responsible for their commitments. The Minister's inability to launch the council is not viewed merely as administrative failure but as part of a larger systemic neglect affecting countless lives.
This lack of accountability sends a detrimental message about the government’s stance on addressing violence against women and children. Analysts suggest this could also have greater political ramifications if opponents effectively utilize this issue to galvanize support heading toward the next elections.
Going forward, the Democratic Alliance continues to apply pressure on Ramaphosa to act decisively. The correlation between political accountability and GBV emphasizes the message: without leadership willing to tackle the root causes of violence, citizens remain at risk.
“No single ANC Minister should stand in the way of a giant step forward in the fight against GBV,” Schickerling stated, encapsulating the urgency of the matter as the DA pushes for reform and the establishment of the National Council. The next steps remain uncertain, but the call to action has been made clear by opposition leaders and civil rights advocates alike, signifying their commitment to ensuring the safety of women and children throughout South Africa.