The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) have issued a strong condemnation of the South African government’s handling of sexual violence, particularly the alarming increase in crimes targeting women and children. In a recent statement, the EFF criticized the government’s negligence and lack of effective measures to address these crimes, describing it as a “betrayal of every child, every family, and every community” forced to endure the threat of unrestrained sexual violence.

According to crime statistics, a total of 53,498 sexual crimes were reported in the 2022/23 period, with approximately 80% involving cases of rape. The EFF has expressed deep concern that these numbers represent not only statistics but the lives of South Africans affected by the government’s failure to ensure public safety.

The situation is especially dire for minors. Over the past six years, more than 106,000 cases of child rape have been reported, yet the judicial response remains sluggish. Only 1,710 cases of child rape and 768 cases of sexual assault have made it to trial in the past four years. The EFF has highlighted this low prosecution rate as a critical failure of the justice system, leaving victims without justice and perpetrators unpunished.

The party has called on the South African Police Service (SAPS) and the Minister of Police to take immediate, decisive action. The EFF advocates for the establishment of specialized courts to handle sexual violence cases and the implementation of harsher penalties for offenders. Furthermore, the EFF emphasized the importance of better-equipped and trained law enforcement officers who can handle these sensitive cases with professionalism and care.

The EFF’s statement concluded with a call to prioritize the protection of South Africa’s children, urging the government to go beyond “empty promises” and instead invest in concrete measures to prevent sexual violence and ensure justice for victims.

The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), established in 2013, is a radical movement dedicated to economic emancipation, uniting activists, community organizations, and lobby groups under a shared vision of economic justice and wealth redistribution. The EFF champions policies like land expropriation without compensation and advocates for the nationalization of key industries to address historical inequalities and ensure fair access to resources. Committed to building a society where opportunities are available to all, the EFF also supports free education and healthcare as essential components of a future grounded in economic freedom for all South Africans.