Minister Acknowledges Gaps in GBVF Justice Response

Government reports progress on sexual offences courts and training while Commission for Gender Equality reviews implementation challenges under the National Strategic Plan.

Updated on Nov. 13, 2026 in Sex Crimes

Bold flat-color economist-style editorial illustration of a plain courthouse facade and flagpole casting a long shadow on an empty forecourt, in deep red, cream, and slate. — Minister Sindisiwe Chikunga acknowledged persistent gaps in South Africa's criminal justice response to gender-based violence as a Commission for Gender Equality study reviews Pillar 3 of the National Strategic Plan. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Minister Sindisiwe Chikunga acknowledged persistent shortcomings in the criminal justice system's response to gender-based violence and femicide. The Commission for Gender Equality released a study examining implementation challenges under Pillar 3 of the National Strategic Plan on GBVF.

Why it matters

The findings show that a significant share of the plan's indicators remain unmet, affecting survivors' access to courts, testimony support and specialised services across South Africa. The gaps highlight the need for stronger coordination across the criminal justice system.

Of the 54 Pillar 3 indicators, 31 have been achieved, 14 are in progress and nine have not been achieved, while 221 prosecutors have completed GBVF training against a target of 800. The report does not state a timeline for closing the remaining gaps.

The players

Sindisiwe Chikunga

Minister responsible for Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities, who acknowledged shortcomings in the justice response to gender-based violence and femicide.

Commission for Gender Equality

South African constitutional body that promotes and protects gender equality and conducted the study on implementation challenges under Pillar 3.

The details

Fourteen sexual offences courts were established in the financial year ending March 2026, and 40 district courts were upgraded to better support domestic violence survivors. A total of 338 functional testimony facilities are available for remote or protected testimony, and 153 847 National Register for Sex Offenders clearance certificates were issued over the past five years.

Financial year ending March 2026: 14 sexual offences courts established.
January to June 2026: 1 185 law enforcement officers joined GBV learning programmes.
Friday, 13 November 2026: Minister held strategic engagement with the Commission for Gender Equality.

Seasonal Patterns

The shortfalls under Pillar 3 of the National Strategic Plan on GBVF show that implementation of the plan's justice-system commitments is still incomplete, with 31 of 54 indicators achieved so far. The Commission for Gender Equality's review places this progress against the plan's own targets.

Survivors of gender-based violence are more likely to access sexual offences courts, testimony facilities and clearance checks as these services expand. Residents in Mpumalanga, the Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal are among those covered by the joint inquiry's engagements.

The takeaway

Progress on gender-based violence response depends on closing the remaining indicator gaps and improving coordination across the criminal justice system. Tracking the status of these indicators can show whether implementation is moving forward.