The City of Johannesburg Community Policing Forum (CPF) took to the streets of Johannesburg’s Central Business District (CBD) on Friday, 2 October, in a march against gender-based violence (GBV), violence against children and femicide, calling for stronger action to protect vulnerable members of society.
The march brought together various community stakeholders, including Sikhulisa Social Solution, the South African Police Service (SAPS) Social Crime Prevention Unit, the TRSH Women’s League and Amabungani, among other organisations, in a united stand against the continued violence directed at women and children.
The march comes amid growing public concern over the killing of women and the broader crisis of gender-based violence in Gauteng and across South Africa. The scale of the problem has intensified calls for stronger law enforcement, improved community safety measures and greater accountability in addressing violence against women and children.
Led by the Johannesburg CPF, the participating organisations took to the streets to demonstrate that GBV and femicide are not merely private or individual concerns, but urgent societal issues that demand a coordinated response from law enforcement, community organisations and the public.
Addressing participants, CPF Chairperson Mr Takalani Mbedzi said recent violent incidents involving women in Ekurhuleni had reinforced the need for communities to take a firm stand against the killings.
“We have seen what has been happening to our women and children. The recent violent events against women in Ekurhuleni have forced us to take a stand and say enough is enough. We can no longer stand by and watch these killings continue,” Mbedzi said.
His remarks underscored the urgency of moving beyond expressions of outrage towards meaningful action that strengthens protection for victims, improves the reporting of abuse and ensures that perpetrators are held accountable.
Community Policing Forums play an important role in strengthening cooperation between communities and law enforcement. Established under the South African Police Service Act, CPFs provide a platform for community members and police to work together on local crime prevention and safety concerns.
The march began at the iconic Mary Fitzgerald Square before proceeding through parts of the Johannesburg CBD. By taking the campaign into areas characterised by a predominantly male presence, the marchers sought to raise awareness, challenge attitudes that contribute to violence and reinforce the message that women and children have the right to live and move through public spaces without fear.
Representing the Johannesburg Central Police Station’s Social Crime Prevention Unit, Sergeant Marape expressed concern that violence against women and children remained a persistent problem.
“It is a sad reality that we are still dealing with this pandemic. We cannot continue living in a society where women and children are being violated,” Marape said.
