PREMIER NDLOVU TO LAUNCH PROVINCIAL GBVF STRUCTURE TO INTENSIFY THE FIGHT AGAINST THE PANDEMIC

17 February 2025

The Mpumalanga Province is on a quest to eliminate Gender Based Violence and Femicide (GBVF). The President, Mr Cyril Ramaphosa has declared GBVF a national crisis and a second pandemic. Crime trends show an increase of cases where women are exposed to the brutality of violent partners. An analysis of the 2023 crime statistics suggest a slow pace in the reduction of GBVF incidences.

In an effort to intensify the fight, the Mpumalanga Premier, Mr. Mandla Ndlovu will launch a Provincial GBVF structure as one of the measures. Recently, the Executive Council (EXCO) in Mpumalanga approved the Provincial Strategic Plan on Gender Based Violence and Femicide (PSP-GBVF), and the launch is the latest measure in the efforts to intensify the fight.

The Premier says the launch affirms the Provincial Government’s commitment to fight the GBVF pandemic, in the face of rising cases in Mpumalanga. He says the statistics of sexual offences, which increased from six hundred and forty one (641) in March 2022 to seven hundred and forty six (746) in March 2023, makes the establishment of the structure even more essential. “Through the Provincial structure, we are bringing together government, civil society and the private sector to create a collective response to GBVF. The structure will effectively coordinate all GBVF intervention programmes, in our quest to eliminate the pandemic,” he emphasized.

It is envisaged that the structure will develop an action plan for the implementation of the Provincial Strategic Plan on GBVF, co-ordinate prevention measures, facilitate strategic partnerships with relevant stakeholders, and revise the plans.

Premier Ndlovu says the launch of the GBVF structure is a pillar to make Mpumalanga safe, peaceful and free from all its forms. Members of the Executive Council, Executive Mayors, Traditional Leaders, and members of the civil society are among those who will attend the function.

Details of the launch are as follows:

Date: Wednesday, 19 February 2025
Venue: Graceland Hotel in Secunda, Govan Mbeki Local Municipality.
Time: 09:00

Members of the media are invited.

For confirmation, kindly contact Ms. Phumla Mokoena (Office of the Premier) on 060 998 8781 or mokoenapi@mpg.gov.za.

ENDS...


Issued by the Mpumalanga Provincial Government

Provincial Government’s Spokesperson: George Mthethwa
Tel: (013) 766 2242
Mobile: 083 302 2774
E-mail: gpmthethwa@mpg.gov.za