Parliament, Tuesday, 24 February 2026 – A joint meeting of the Portfolio Committee on Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA) and the Portfolio Committee on Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities today called for greater clarity on how government intends to fund the response to gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF) following its classification as a national disaster.
The National Disaster Management Centre and the ministers in the respective portfolios briefed the two committees on the operationalisation of the disaster classification and the proposed programme of action. Members described the statistics presented as deeply concerning. South Africa’s femicide rate stands at 9 per 100 000 women, which is five times the global average. A total of 957 women were murdered between July and September 2024 alone.
The Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on COGTA, Dr Zweli Mkhize, noted the constitutional imperative to protect the rights to dignity, equality and life. “The statistics on GBVF are unacceptable and a serious indictment of our democracy, which prides itself on the protection of human rights enshrined in the Constitution,” he said.
Both committees welcomed the classification of GBVF as a national disaster, noting it as an appropriate response to the worsening trends. The Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities, Ms Liezl van der Merwe, called GBVF a national crisis that disproportionately affects women, youth and persons with disabilities. She welcomed the declaration but stressed her concern about the absence of funding for it. “If we truly want to move the needle and make a meaningful impact in addressing this national crisis, additional resources are required,” she said.
Ms van der Merwe added that if this declaration is to translate into meaningful change, it must be accompanied by the necessary financial commitments. “But the fundamental question is whether we can realistically expect additional resources to be allocated to this national disaster, particularly in light of the forthcoming Budget Speech by the Minister of Finance.”
Members were informed that the Disaster Management Act emphasises reprioritisation and self-funding within existing budgets to support this programme of action. Dr Mkhize emphasised that the budget must be specified and made available to the committees to see the difference in resource allocation following the declaration. “Otherwise, what is the practical effect of declaring a disaster if there is no demonstrable shift in resources? We need clarity on what is new and what is additional,” he said.
Members further emphasised that, in exercising their oversight role, the committees must understand the criteria for classifying GBVF as a national disaster. Members noted that their ability to monitor progress depends on that clarity. Clarity on the factors underpinning the classification will enable effective monitoring and assessment of the duration and impact of the declaration. “Oversight requires certainty about how progress will be measured and when the declaration may be reviewed or lapse,” said Dr Mkhize.
The joint meeting heard that the programme of action has five operational priorities: prevention and social cohesion; strengthened law enforcement and justice responses; survivor-centred support; communication and mobilisation; and institutional arrangements. While the committees supported the proposed programme of action, members emphasised that timelines for implementation must be specified to enable effective monitoring.
The committees also emphasised the need for a whole-of-government effort, with all relevant departments visibly engaged through the Inter-Ministerial Committee on GBVF, including COGTA; National Treasury; Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities; Police; Justice; Social Development; Education and Health. Members further highlighted the need to strengthen the police’s investigative capacity, enhance prosecutorial support, limit bail in serious cases, and increase conviction rates. There were also several concerns about the adequacy and expansion of Thuthuzela Care Centres.
The committees noted and supported education and social mobilisation efforts to build a culture of equality and human rights. Members particularly welcomed the planned focus on the boy child, the involvement of traditional and community leaders, the mobilisation of civil society and faith-based organisations, and efforts to address drivers of GBVF, such as firearms, substance abuse and alcohol abuse.
Members further called for implementation of the programme of action to be linked to the key performance areas and employment contracts of senior officials to ensure consequence management and accountability. They also noted the Minister of COGTA’s undertaking to provide more information on the funding of GBVF as a national disaster in a follow-up meeting.
Both committees reaffirmed their support for the declaration and undertook to continue rigorous oversight to ensure that it results in measurable improvements in the lived realities of affected communities.
ISSUED BY THE PARLIAMENTARY COMMUNICATION SERVICES ON BEHALF OF THE CHAIRPERSON OF THE PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON COOPERATIVE GOVERNANCE AND TRADITIONAL AFFAIRS, DR ZWELI MKHIZE, AND 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 Chairpersons, please contact the joint meeting’s Media Officer:
Name: Alicestine October
Cell: 083 665 4345
E-mail: aoctober@parliament.gov.za
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