Concerns grow over the country’s ability to prevent violence and hold perpetrators accountable. DearSA launched a national campaign following Pres. Cyril Ramaphosa’s address to the nation on Tuesday (29/9), in which he outlined measures aimed at strengthening the government’s response to gender-based violence and femicide.

The organisation’s campaign is intended to measure public sentiment around capital punishment, particularly for serious crimes such as murder and rape. 

It posed the question of reinstating the death penalty as part of a national campaign, asking South Africans whether capital punishment should be reconsidered as violent crime worsens. It also questioned whether the president’s latest commitments on gender-based violence and femicide will translate into meaningful action.

The president announced a 60-day national case-recovery operation to identify unresolved murders, attempted murders, rapes, and serious sexual offences involving women and children. He also announced 90-day recovery plans for priority cases, a 60-day plan to address forensic backlogs, municipal women’s safety audits, and quarterly public reporting on progress.

“We have been prompted by the public about the recent criminal activities that have been on the increase, particularly the mass shootings and femicide,” said DearSA CEO Chloe Castle. “We want to do more than just stand by and watch what is going on, and we demand on behalf of the public that government keeps our citizens safe.

“The public are fearful for their lives, and everybody is hiding indoors. Those who do step outside and take the risk are not guaranteed to come home. There are massive gaps that need to be addressed with a totally different and more aggressive type of response.

“We need more visible policing, but not just policing to have someone in the street. We need communities to be able to approach our police and infrastructure with confidence.

“We need to ensure we have the budget, unity, and alignment to ensure that our South African citizens are kept safe, that children are at school, and that there is help available when something goes wrong.”

The organisation said government and law enforcement need to focus on practical interventions that improve safety on the ground. Castle also called for better emergency responses, safer public spaces, adequate lighting, and stronger enforcement against illegal operations. Government must ensure that resources, coordination, and accountability are in place to support communities.

OFM News/Zenande Mpame dg

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