Parliament, Friday, 24 July 2026 – The Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities, Ms Liezl van der Merwe, has welcomed the joint inquiry announced by the Commission for Gender Equality (CGE), the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) and the Commission for the Promotion and Protection of the Rights of Cultural, Religious and Linguistic Communities (CRL Rights Commission) into the justice system’s failures in responding to gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF).
Ms van der Merwe said the inquiry is long overdue and comes at a critical time when South Africa continues to grapple with the devastating impact of GBVF on women, children and vulnerable groups across the country. The committee has consistently maintained that victims and survivors of GBVF are not receiving adequate support and that serious shortcomings within the justice system continue to undermine efforts to combat the scourge.
“The committee welcomes this important initiative and believes it has the potential to uncover systemic failures that continue to deny victims justice and protection,” said Ms van der Merwe. “Parliament’s statutory rape inquiry had already exposed significant weaknesses within the justice and protection systems. Among the key concerns identified were delays in the processing of cases, the mishandling and loss of evidence, and insensitive treatment of survivors, all of which contribute to the re-victimisation of those seeking justice” said Ms van der Merwe.
The committee has provisionally allocated time in its fourth-term programme to receive an initial briefing on the inquiry’s findings in November.
The committee believes that regular engagement with oversight institutions is crucial to ensuring that recommendations are translated into meaningful action that strengthens South Africa’s response to GBVF.
Ms van der Merwe said the committee remains committed to strengthening oversight of all institutions involved in the fight against GBVF and advancing measures that place survivors at the centre of the justice system. “South Africa cannot afford a justice system that fails victims of gender-based violence and femicide. We expect this inquiry to identify the shortcomings that continue to undermine justice for survivors and to propose practical solutions that will ensure greater accountability, protection and support for those affected,” she said.
ISSUED BY THE PARLIAMENTARY COMMUNICATION SERVICES ON BEHALF OF THE CHAIRPERSON OF THE PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON WOMEN, YOUTH AND PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES, MS LIEZL VAN DER MERWE.
For media inquiries or interviews with the Chairperson, please contact the committee’s Media Officer:
Name: Yoliswa Landu (Ms)
Cell: 081 497 4694
E-mail: ylandu@parliament.gov.za
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