South Africa: Justice delayed is justice denied
| Gender Links
Why South Africa must act now on GBV justice reformSouth Africa has one of the most progressive Constitutions in the world, yet for many survivors of gender-based violence (GBV), justice remains painfully out of reach. Despite strong laws and frameworks, the reality is a justice system that too often retraumatises, delays, and denies survivors their rights.This year, the RWVL programme convened a powerful panel in April under the theme “Justice Delayed is Justice Denied”, followed by a national webinar in May. Survivors, legal experts, activists, and service providers came together to confront the hard truth: systemic barriers within our criminal justice system are costing lives and eroding trust.We heard accounts like the Andy Kawa case, where justice was pursued for over a decade, and others such as the trial of Timothy Omotoso, where multiple women came forward as victims of sexual abuse. Yet, years later, the case continues to drag on without closure.These examples are not outliers — they represent the lived reality of thousands.Court backlogs exceeded 140,000 cases by April 2025. DNA results are delayed for years. Survivors face broken recording equipment, inaccessible courtrooms, and indifferent officials. Each delay communicates that their pain does not matter, emboldening perpetrators while retraumatising victims.The message from our dialogues was clear: survivors do not need promises of justice tomorrow — they need justice today.What must change?
- Enforceable timelines for GBV and sexual offences cases.
- Properly resourced forensic and court systems so no case is stalled by broken tools or lack of staff.
- Accountability mechanisms for officials who neglect survivors.
- Survivor-centred support services that prioritise dignity, healing, and safety.
