Words cannot describe MISA’s (the Motor Industry Staff Association) disillusionment with what was once hailed as one of the most progressive Constitutions in the world.
This week the annual 16 Days of Activism for No Violence Against Women and Children Campaign kicked-off, yet South Africa faces a crisis that continues to devastate families, communities and futures – the epidemic of Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (GBVF), says Martlé Keyter, MISA’s Chief Executive Officer: Operations.
“Despite the country’s robust legal framework and policies aimed at tackling GBVF, the practice is deeply rooted in societal norms and incidents continue to escalate at an alarming rate.
Something is terribly wrong when women and children are not safe in their homes, schools or public spaces,” says Keyter.
The Children’s Institute at the University of Cape Town (UCT) says the statistics for GBVF are much higher than official figures.
Lucy Jamieson, a senior researcher at the institute and editor of the new research publication, the South African Child Gauge, says one in two women report having experienced intimate partner violence. Community-based studies show that over 90% of children are experiencing some form of violence.
According to Vanessa Samuel-Chetty, the founder and director of The Hope Foundation, they are seeing more babies, some who are just a few days old, being sexually violated. In most cases, the perpetrators are family members or people known.
“The message that is often shared with children about ‘stranger danger’ is incomplete. They need to be taught to be wary of everyone, which is sad. We are also seeing children being used as ‘weapons’ to get revenge against a parent or parents.”
A study by the Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC) highlighted societal attitudes towards gender power dynamics, the prevalence and patterns of GBV experiences among women and the perpetration of violence by men and presents data underscoring the GBVF crisis.
“The data reveals deeply ingrained gender norms and power dynamics, with strong cultural reinforcement of traditional gender roles and a troubling acceptance of male aggression and dominance.”
In October 2025, a horrifying incident in Johannesburg revealed the operations of a rape and robbery syndicate targeting women through fake Uber rides and manipulated WhatsApp contacts. One survivor, Mpumi, and her friends were lured, kidnapped and repeatedly assaulted. The alleged ringleader, known as SK, was arrested after a series of attacks across Gauteng.
Just weeks later, the Bloemfontein High Court sentenced a 58-year-old lawyer to three life terms and 61 additional years for sexually abusing five minors. In Limpopo, a serial rapist received 151 years for targeting women and girls as young as nine.
These are not isolated cases. According to the South African Police Service (SAPS), between January and March 2025, 10,688 rape cases and 1,872 sexual assaults were reported. In the same period, 966 women were murdered, marking a 7.9% increase from the previous year.
The HRSC revealed that 36% of women have experienced physical or sexual violence, and 24% have suffered abuse from intimate partners. Alarmingly, 51% of women report experiencing GBV, while 76% of men admit to perpetrating it.
Women with disabilities face even greater risks. Nearly 29.3% have experienced physical abuse, and 14.6% have been sexually assaulted – double the rate of non-disabled women.
“MISA believes that the circle of gender-based violence ends with us. We have a duty to address this pandemic in our homes, workplaces, communities and among our peers.
“Join MISA on 29 November at MISA Centre, the Union’s Head Office, for the Awake for Awareness campaign and sign our pledge to leave no stone unturned in rooting out this societal cancer. Actor Shoki Mmola will share how she survived an abusive marriage,” says Keyter.
ALSO READ: 16 Days of Activism begins as South Africa elevates GBV to national disaster status
