Concern over non-implementation of Domestic Violence Act

• Published date: 26 May 2022
• Publication title: South African Official News

The Portfolio Committee on Police has raised concern over the high number of public complaints against the South African Police Service (SAPS) with regards to failing to implement the Domestic Violence Act at police stations.

Committee Chairperson, Tina Joemat-Pettersson, said that while the committee welcomes the cooperation between SAPS and strengthened monitoring by the Civilian Secretariat for Police Service (CSPS), members of the committee are concerned about 59 cases of non-compliance reported.

'This is concerning in the context of the scourge of gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF) in the country and members of the SAPS must provide a refuge for victims of domestic violence,' Joemat-Pettersson said.

The committee received the bi-annual report from the SAPS on the implementation of the Domestic Violence Act (DVA).

The report showed that some of the complaints lodged against SAPS members during the period between 1 April - 30 September 2021, include 15 cases of failure to open a case, two cases of failure to file a protection order, and two cases of failure to render satisfactory service to the victim.

'The committee is of the view that members of the SAPS should be equipped with advanced training to ensure that victims of GBV receive quality service from them,' Joemat-Pettersson said.

According to the committee, the victims of domestic violence will be certain about the quality of service they will receive and will be encouraged to report cases to the police.

The committee also raised concern about cases reported during the period 1 October 2020 - 31 March 2021 that are still to be finalised by the SAPS. It urged the National Commissioner to expedite the conclusion...