Police statistics for the 2025/26 financial year place the Western Cape as the third-most affected province for gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF) in South Africa, with 7 951 incidents recorded. The national total for the year was 50 511 GBVF cases, authorities said.
National picture and Western Cape position
Acting Police Minister Professor Firoz Cachalia provided the figures in a parliamentary response and said a majority of reported cases had proceeded to an arrest or referral for prosecution. Of the 50 511 reported cases, 30 736 resulted in an arrest or were referred to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA).
"A total of 50 511 cases of gender-based violence and femicide were reported to the South African Police Service during the 2025/26 financial year," Cachalia said.
The Western Cape follows KwaZulu-Natal, which recorded 9 412 incidents, and Gauteng, with 8 933. The Eastern Cape reported 7 638 cases.
| Province | GBVF cases (2025/26) |
|---|---|
| KwaZulu-Natal | 9 412 |
| Gauteng | 8 933 |
| Western Cape | 7 951 |
| Eastern Cape | 7 638 |
Activists: figures are likely an undercount
Civil society groups and activists cautioned that these official numbers likely represent only part of the problem. They argued that social stigma, limited trust in law enforcement and obstacles to accessing support services mean many survivors do not report abuse.
At a recent commemoration for Women’s Day, veteran activist Sophie de Bruyn contrasted the gains of earlier struggles with the persistence of violence today, saying the continued abuse and silencing of women remain a profound concern.
Police response and planned measures
Cachalia outlined a set of measures aimed at improving case outcomes. He emphasised the need for police management to address shortcomings that frustrate investigations and convictions and highlighted specific operational support to investigators.
- Targeted support for investigators handling GBV cases
- Improved access to forensic evidence processing
- Enhanced criminal record services to assist prosecutions
These interventions are designed to strengthen the quality and effectiveness of investigations, the acting minister said. The response followed a question from the MK Party’s Gugulethu Mchunu, which sought details on arrest and prosecution rates and government plans to improve outcomes.
Local impact and what the data means for the Western Cape
For the Western Cape, the figures underline persistent challenges for policing and support networks. While the province is often held up for economic growth and tourism, the GBV statistics expose deep social fractures that affect communities across suburbs and townships alike.
Improving conviction rates requires not only better forensic and criminal record services but also accessible survivor-centred support, local prevention programmes and trust-building between communities and police. Without those elements, reported arrests and referrals may not translate into sustained reductions in violence.
Service providers, NGOs and activists will be watching to see how national and provincial law-enforcement plans translate into resources and training on the ground. For survivors seeking help, provincial helplines, local NGOs and SAPS stations remain the immediate points of contact; timely access to medical care and forensic examinations is critical for both wellbeing and evidence-gathering.
The statistics form part of a wider national debate. Last year the President declared GBVF a national crisis and urged extraordinary action; this latest data is likely to intensify calls for concrete, measurable progress.
Police and justice-system reforms, if implemented and adequately resourced, could improve investigation standards in the Western Cape and elsewhere. For now, the numbers show the scale of the challenge and underscore activists’ warnings that the published totals are likely the visible portion of a much larger problem.
