Justice Minister Kubayi questions why legislative interventions not driving down GBV

CAPE TOWN - Justice Minister Mmamaloko Kubayi said she wants to understand why despite legislative interventions, it's not having the desired impact on lessening the gender-based violence (GBV) scourge.

To this end, she and Police Minister Senzo Mchunu will call an urgent meeting on Monday to thrash out the shortcomings, along with the ministers of education, health, social development, and women and youth.

Kubayi said that the rape case of a seven-year-old Matatiele girl and the acquittal of Pastor Timothy Omotoso after an eight-year rape and human trafficking trial had once again displayed the public's distrust in the justice system.

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Three years since amendments were made to three laws to give impetus to the prosecution of GBV cases, Justice Minister Kubayi said that introspection was necessary to determine where the shortcomings still lie.

She said that the mothers of at least 12 alleged victims in the Timothy Omotoso case contacted her after she demanded answers from the prosecuting authority after a judge let him off the hook.

"Are we doing enough as the justice cluster and be transparent to the nation in terms of where the gaps are and what we are doing about it? And we hope we will be able to address those."

Kubayi said that the criminal justice system had to be more victim-centric.

"We are hearing the voices of women and children rising, instead of going down after the president had committed that we will deal with GBV, and the issue for us to look at where are the problems."

Kubayi has urged Parliament to finalise processes to establish the first national council on gender-based violence, with the portfolio committee having previously expressed concerns about the lack of budget for it.