Firoz Cachalia outlines SAPS's strategy against GBV and femicide this festive season

Acting Minister of Police, Firoz Cachalia, has outlined the measures being taken to combat gender-based violence (GBV) and femicide during the upcoming festive season.

This follows a question from Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) Member of Parliament Lencel Komane, who asked about the concrete measures the Minister has put in place to tackle gender-based violence and femicide during the upcoming end-of-year festivities.

In his parliamentary written reply, Cachalia emphasised that the South African Police Service (SAPS) has launched a series of coordinated operations aimed at preventing serious and violent crimes, including GBV and femicide, which tend to surge during the festive period.

These operations include the current Operation Safer Festive Season, which falls under the broader National Crime Combating Forum’s initiative, Operation Shanela II.

He explained that the operations have a particular focus on high-risk areas, where police visibility is heightened in a bid to deter crime.

"The focus areas of these operations include heightened police operations and visibility in high-risk areas to prevent and combat serious and violent crime including gender-based violence during the festive season when the risk of contact crimes, substance abuse as well as Gender-Based Violence (GBV) are very high," Cachalia said.

He further noted that the SAPS has developed and is actively implementing the Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (GBV&F) Action Plan, which aligns with the National Strategic Plan on GBV&F.

This plan prioritises prevention, improving the professionalism of police officers, enhancing services for victims, and monitoring cases related to domestic violence and sexual offenses, he said. 

Cachalia emphasised that crimes related to GBV and femicide often occur within private and domestic spaces, making them less visible compared to public crimes.

As a result, the SAPS works closely with other government departments, including Social Development and Health, as well as with non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and community stakeholders who are also dedicated to tackling GBV.

"The SAPS collaborates with relevant Government Departments such as Social Development, Health as well as Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) and community stakeholders responsible to address GBV&F," he added.

In addition to the visible policing measures, the SAPS is also tackling GBV and femicide internally through various policies and awareness campaigns.

These initiatives aim to remind officers of the support available within the police service and promote a culture of accountability.

"The SAPS also address GBV&F internally through various relevant policies, internal awareness advocating against GBV&F, and to remind SAPS members that there are internal support and assistance available through the in-house employee support services," Cachalia said. 

As part of the Operation Safer Festive Season, which was officially launched on October 7, 2025, SAPS will deploy a multi-phase strategy to combat various crimes, with a special emphasis on GBV and femicide.

The operation will include high-visibility policing, intelligence-driven operations, and tactical crime prevention strategies.

Cachalia emphasised that the operation will not only address crimes during the festive period but will also focus on several priority crimes and strategic threats, including Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (GBV&F), as well as enforcement of the Domestic Violence Act and compliance with protection orders.

"Excessive alcohol consumption has been a contributing factor in domestic violence and sexual offense incidents, and the mentioned operations will focus on addressing illegal liquor outlets which impact the availability of alcohol," said Cachalia.

The police will also conduct operations targeting illegal alcohol distribution, which has been identified as a significant contributor to GBV and sexual violence, he said. 

In addition to direct law enforcement activities, the SAPS, in collaboration with other government departments and civil society organisations, will continue public education and awareness campaigns.

These efforts will include the well-known 16 Days of Activism for No Violence Against Women and Children, alongside door-to-door campaigns, community outreach events, and the closure of illegal shebeens.

These campaigns are intended to inform communities about GBV, provide safety tips, and encourage individuals to report cases of violence.

Cachalia also pointed out that follow-up operations, victim support services, and community engagement efforts will continue after the festive season to ensure that cases of GBV and femicide do not escalate once the holidays end.

He confirmed that the final phase of Operation Safer Festive Season will focus on intensifying investigative work to close cases and ensure justice for victims.

"The final phase will ensure intensified GBV&F investigative work to finalise cases from the festive period, ensuring offenders are brought to justice," Cachalia said. 

hope.ntanzi@iol.co.za 

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