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	<title>Civil Security Archives - ProtectionWeb</title>
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	<title>Civil Security Archives - ProtectionWeb</title>
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	<item>
		<title>Police fail to confiscate firearms from domestic violence perpetrators, report finds</title>
		<link>https://www.protectionweb.co.za/civil-security/police-fail-to-confiscate-firearms-from-domestic-violence-perpetrators-report-finds/</link>
					<comments>https://www.protectionweb.co.za/civil-security/police-fail-to-confiscate-firearms-from-domestic-violence-perpetrators-report-finds/#disqus_thread</comments>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Guy Martin]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Mon, 15 Dec 2025 07:25:27 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Civil Security]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[domestic gun violence]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[gender-based violence]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Remove the Trigger campaign]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[women]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.protectionweb.co.za/?p=99154</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>There is insufficient protection for women who face domestic gun violence, according to a report by the Remove the Trigger campaign, launched at the Saartjie Baartman Memorial Centre in Athlone on Tuesday 9 December. In the majority of cases where women are murdered, the perpetrators are their intimate partners. In about 30% of these cases, [&#8230;]</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://www.protectionweb.co.za/civil-security/police-fail-to-confiscate-firearms-from-domestic-violence-perpetrators-report-finds/">Police fail to confiscate firearms from domestic violence perpetrators, report finds</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.protectionweb.co.za">ProtectionWeb</a>.</p>
]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>There is insufficient protection for women who face domestic gun violence, according to a report by the Remove the Trigger campaign, launched at the Saartjie Baartman Memorial Centre in Athlone on Tuesday 9 December.</p>
<p>In the majority of cases where women are murdered, the perpetrators are their intimate partners. In about 30% of these cases, there was a prior history of domestic violence, according to the report. The true figure is likely higher.</p>
<p>Guns are also responsible for about 35% of women’s deaths.</p>
<p>Although there are legal provisions that require firearms to be removed in domestic violence cases, these are not adequately implemented.</p>
<p>Only about 2% of women domestic violence victims killed in 2017 held protection orders at the time of their killing. And where protection orders are held, they are not properly enforced, and firearms are seldom permanently removed from abusive partners.</p>
<p>“Firearms do not get removed,” said gender violence researcher Lisa Vetten, who authored the report, during the launch. “There are a couple of reasons for this: women not knowing that they can ask for a firearm to be removed, magistrates not ordering the removal of a firearm when criminal charges are laid, and police not seizing firearms [when they are ordered to].”</p>
<p>A history of domestic violence or protection orders should be used to deny people firearm competence certificates, but aren’t, said Vetten.</p>
<p>Jessica Shah, speaking at the event, told how her daughter, Sasha Lee, was fatally shot at the age of 25 by her abusive former partner, Kyle Inderlall, in 2022 in KwaZulu-Natal.</p>
<p>Inderlall was a security guard and was in possession of a work-issued firearm. He also owned a rifle and another firearm, which he would frequently use to threaten her.</p>
<p>This was despite Shah having taken out a protection order against Inderlall, and a court order for Inderlall’s firearms to be removed. Another partner of Inderlall also had a protection order against him.</p>
<p>The report also notes that firearms not only do harm when they kill, but also when they are used for emotional and physical abuse.</p>
<p>Henrietta du Preez, a domestic violence survivor and former police officer, shared at the event how she was abused by the father of her children. He was also a police officer and would often use his police-issued firearm to intimidate her.</p>
<p>“I came to a point where I knew that as long as I acted accordingly and did not make him mad, I would not get shot,” said du Preez.</p>
<p>He would also intimidate her with pepper spray, a taser and work boots. He also attempted to run her over with a police van.</p>
<p>Du Preez turned to the courts for protection and maintenance orders, and approached social work services and the police for assistance. Police managers told her they would not get involved in officers’ private lives. Ultimately, she was not assisted.</p>
<p>The report recommends that the police publish statistics annually on how many firearm competency certificates are denied or opposed because of past domestic violence, and on compliance with firearm removal orders. This data must be made available to researchers and policymakers to assess the efficacy of the firearms control act, the report says.</p>
<p>The report also calls for the Domestic Violence Act regulations to be amended so that there is a dedicated form to be used for seizing firearms, which must be completed and returned to the court by police officers. If a firearm is not removed, there must be an explanation why.</p>
<p>“When the courts order the removal of a firearm, the police are not permitted to disregard the instruction and disciplinary measures must be instituted accordingly should they do so,” reads the report.</p>
<p>Written by Mary-Anne Gontsana for <a href="https://groundup.org.za/">GroundUp</a> and republished with permission. The original article can be found <a href="https://groundup.org.za/article/police-fails-to-remove-firearms-from-domestic-violence-perpetrators-researchers-find/">here</a>.</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://www.protectionweb.co.za/civil-security/police-fail-to-confiscate-firearms-from-domestic-violence-perpetrators-report-finds/">Police fail to confiscate firearms from domestic violence perpetrators, report finds</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.protectionweb.co.za">ProtectionWeb</a>.</p>
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		<title>When the State fails: civil society must protect South Africa’s whistleblowers</title>
		<link>https://www.protectionweb.co.za/civil-security/when-the-state-fails-civil-society-must-protect-south-africas-whistleblowers/</link>
					<comments>https://www.protectionweb.co.za/civil-security/when-the-state-fails-civil-society-must-protect-south-africas-whistleblowers/#disqus_thread</comments>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Guy Martin]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Fri, 12 Dec 2025 08:25:47 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Civil Security]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Madlanga Commission]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Marius van der Merwe]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[South Africa]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[witness protection]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Witness Protection Programme]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.protectionweb.co.za/?p=99130</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>South Africa’s witness protection system is failing. The deaths of the likes of Moss Phakoe, Jimmy Mohlala, Babita Deokaran, Marumo Phenya, Mpho Mafole, and now Marius van der Merwe, known in the official Madlanga Commission as Witness D, expose a grim reality: those people brave enough to speak the truth are often left entirely exposed, [&#8230;]</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://www.protectionweb.co.za/civil-security/when-the-state-fails-civil-society-must-protect-south-africas-whistleblowers/">When the State fails: civil society must protect South Africa’s whistleblowers</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.protectionweb.co.za">ProtectionWeb</a>.</p>
]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>South Africa’s witness protection system is failing. The deaths of the likes of Moss Phakoe, Jimmy Mohlala, Babita Deokaran, Marumo Phenya, Mpho Mafole, and now Marius van der Merwe, known in the official Madlanga Commission as Witness D, expose a grim reality: those people brave enough to speak the truth are often left entirely exposed, sometimes paying with their lives.</p>
<p>These are not isolated tragedies; they reveal a system incapable of defending the very citizens it claims to serve.</p>
<p>The official Witness Protection Programme (WPP), operating under the National Prosecuting Authority, is meant to safeguard witnesses. In reality, it is plagued by leaks, inefficiency, and chronic underfunding. When Van der Merwe, a key exposer of corruption and murder, was killed on Friday, it was a stark reminder that courage alone cannot guarantee safety. Babita Deokaran and others met similar fates, despite being nominally “protected” by the state.</p>
<p>Too often, whistleblowers are betrayed by the very institutions tasked with their safety. Phakoe’s, Mohlala’s, Deokaran’s, Phenya’s, Mafole’s, and Van der Merwe’s deaths make this brutally clear. If those willing to expose corruption cannot rely on the state, someone else must step in. Civil society organisations with a proven track record of defending accountability, such as OUTA or the IRR, have both the motivation and capability to fill this gap. Courageous individuals are the lifeblood of accountability, and their survival cannot depend on government promises alone.</p>
<p>These organisations could establish dedicated witness-protection units to provide operational safety for whistleblowers. Such units could offer safe houses, secure transport, personal protection, encrypted communications, threat monitoring, and psychological support. Unlike government programmes, they could act swiftly, adapt to evolving risks, and provide protection where bureaucracy and corruption leave official systems exposed.</p>
<p>Around the world, civil-society-led protection is already happening. In Colombia, NGOs provide relocation and support for witnesses of political violence and organised crime. In Italy, anti-mafia initiatives combine police protection with NGO networks assisting witnesses navigating daily life under threat. In Kenya, civil society intervenes in high-profile corruption cases where state mechanisms are overburdened. These examples demonstrate that non-governmental actors can save lives, even when official systems fail.</p>
<p>South Africa’s need is urgent. The WPP is overstretched and compromised. Witnesses willing to expose wrongdoing are dangerously vulnerable. Practical protection, safe houses, secure transport, digital safety, threat intelligence, and counseling can be organised independently by committed civil-society organisations with proper planning and funding. OUTA, the IRR, or similarly mission-driven organisations could move beyond advocacy and rhetoric to take direct responsibility for safeguarding truth-tellers.</p>
<p>The deaths of witnesses Mafole, Phenya, Deokaran, Mohlala and Phokoe are stark reminders that bravery alone is insufficient. Civil society must act decisively, creating operational frameworks that function even when the state cannot be trusted. Courage must be shielded: not celebrated in words but safeguarded in action.</p>
<p>South Africa faces a stark choice: continue exposing its bravest citizens to lethal risk, or empower civil society to step in where the state fails. Without whistleblowers, accountability collapses. Without practical protection, more lives will be lost, and impunity will thrive. The deaths of courageous individuals have already created a chilling effect. Many potential whistleblowers will hesitate to come forward, fearing for their lives. If the country’s future depends on truth-tellers surviving, organisations like OUTA and the IRR must rise to the challenge, providing the protection and support that the state has repeatedly failed to deliver.</p>
<p>Written by Tiego Thotse for <a href="https://dailyfriend.co.za/">The Daily Friend</a>. The original article can be found <a href="https://dailyfriend.co.za/2025/12/08/when-the-state-fails-civil-society-must-protect-south-africas-whistleblowers/">here</a>.</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://www.protectionweb.co.za/civil-security/when-the-state-fails-civil-society-must-protect-south-africas-whistleblowers/">When the State fails: civil society must protect South Africa’s whistleblowers</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.protectionweb.co.za">ProtectionWeb</a>.</p>
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		<title>Thieves steal weapons, ammunition from municipal armoury</title>
		<link>https://www.protectionweb.co.za/civil-security/thieves-steal-weapons-ammunition-from-municipal-armoury/</link>
					<comments>https://www.protectionweb.co.za/civil-security/thieves-steal-weapons-ammunition-from-municipal-armoury/#disqus_thread</comments>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Guy Martin]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Fri, 12 Dec 2025 08:25:43 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Civil Security]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[firearm theft]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Kroonstad]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[SAPS]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[South African Police Service]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.protectionweb.co.za/?p=99144</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>A Free State municipality is the latest – unwilling – member of the club to lose firearms to thieves in what is an ongoing crisis &#8211; over five years, nearly 3 500 police firearms have been lost or stolen. Moqhaka Local Municipality, headquartered in Kroonstad, joined the SA Police Service (SAPS) and the SA National [&#8230;]</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://www.protectionweb.co.za/civil-security/thieves-steal-weapons-ammunition-from-municipal-armoury/">Thieves steal weapons, ammunition from municipal armoury</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.protectionweb.co.za">ProtectionWeb</a>.</p>
]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>A Free State municipality is the latest – unwilling – member of the club to lose firearms to thieves in what is an ongoing crisis &#8211; over five years, nearly 3 500 police firearms have been lost or stolen.</p>
<p>Moqhaka Local Municipality, headquartered in Kroonstad, joined the SA Police Service (SAPS) and the SA National Defence Force (SANDF) as government organisations/structures where “a large quantity” of firearms and ammunition were taken from a municipal building.</p>
<p>The SAPS said the theft is believed to have occurred on 1 December in the early hours of the morning, and was discovered the following day by a municipal employee arriving at work who reportedly found the alarm control box damaged. The armoury door had been forced, apparently with an angle grinder and the safes inside cut open.</p>
<p>Preliminary investigations revealed 43 firearms, including 9 mm pistols, revolvers and pump action shotguns, along with around 1 100 rounds of ammunition and six bulletproof vests, had been stolen. Suspects are believed to have gained entry by breaking through a wall near a bathroom area, the SAPS said.</p>
<p>Bemoaning the loss of the 43 weapons, ammunition and bulletproof vests, Councillor Nick Muller (Democratic Alliance) said questions would be asked of the acting municipal manager.</p>
<p>“We demand clarity and also want a full inventory of municipal firearms and ammunition as well as being informed that all licences, permits and firearm registers are up to date,” he said adding competency of staff and security measures would also be sought.</p>
<p>In November Acting Police Minister Firoz Cachalia told a Parliamentarian 4 124 SAPS firearms were either stolen or lost between 2019/20 and the present date. He disputed an assertion by MKP (uMkhonto we Sizwe Party) public representative, Wesley Douglas, that 7 500 State-issued firearms were “now in the hands of criminal syndicates”.</p>
<p>In another Parliamentary reply, to the Democratic Alliance’s Deputy Spokesperson on Police Ian Cameron, Cachalia stated that between the 2019/20 and 2023/24 financial years, 3 213 SAPS firearms were stolen in thefts or robberies, and another 220 lost, for a total of 3 433 for that period. Only 559 were recovered.</p>
<p>“While SAPS lists several internal controls, including stocktaking, inspections, and the use of SABS-compliant safes, the persistent leakage of firearms shows these measures are either ineffective or not being properly implemented. The presence of state-issued firearms in the hands of criminals directly fuels South Africa’s violent crime crisis and demonstrates that state mismanagement not law-abiding gun owners, is the primary source of illegally circulating firearms,” Cameron said.</p>
<p>A SAPS working group, set up by National Commissioner, General Fannie Masemola, is working on a thorough verification process of all SAPS-owned firearms lost/stolen from 2019/2020 on. The report will be ready for submission [presumably to Parliament’s Portfolio Committee on Police] by 15 January.</p>
<p>Cachalia, in a Parliamentary reply to the MK Party’s Crossby Shongwe, acknowledged an increase in illicit firearms entering South Africa, primarily caused by diversion from legal markets (through theft, fraud, and straw purchases) across border trafficking and illicit manufacturing, which are all driven by underlying factors such as high demand from criminal groups, weak regulatory frameworks and corruption.</p>
<p>“Firearms are mainly smuggled from Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Eswatini and Lesotho. In a sense criminal syndicates are exploiting porous borders and informal crossings. Firearms are concealed when smuggled making detection thereof difficult. Such concealment methods used include bulk carriers, using land (vehicles) air (cargo) and sea (containers) routes. Corruption within law enforcement agencies, in this instance, SAPS, leads to the non-detection of concealed firearms. Firearms are mainly smuggled to commit violent crimes inland to facilitate crimes such as illegal mining, armed robberies, murders, kidnapping, vehicle robberies, cash-in-transit (CIT) and other gang related activities and organised crime operations,” Cachalia’s reply stated.</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://www.protectionweb.co.za/civil-security/thieves-steal-weapons-ammunition-from-municipal-armoury/">Thieves steal weapons, ammunition from municipal armoury</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.protectionweb.co.za">ProtectionWeb</a>.</p>
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		<title>The silent siege: Violence against women in South Africa is a national emergency</title>
		<link>https://www.protectionweb.co.za/civil-security/the-silent-siege-violence-against-women-in-south-africa-is-a-national-emergency/</link>
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		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Guy Martin]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Thu, 11 Dec 2025 08:03:45 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Civil Security]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Action Society]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Crime]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[GBV]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[South Africa]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[violence against women]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.protectionweb.co.za/?p=98942</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>When 11 women are murdered every day, is it still accurate to call it crime—or is it time to call it terror? South Africa is in crisis. But this is not a crisis declared on the evening news. It’s not listed as a national disaster. There is no war room. No emergency deployment. Yet, thousands [&#8230;]</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://www.protectionweb.co.za/civil-security/the-silent-siege-violence-against-women-in-south-africa-is-a-national-emergency/">The silent siege: Violence against women in South Africa is a national emergency</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.protectionweb.co.za">ProtectionWeb</a>.</p>
]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>When 11 women are murdered every day, is it still accurate to call it crime—or is it time to call it terror? South Africa is in crisis. But this is not a crisis declared on the evening news. It’s not listed as a national disaster. There is no war room. No emergency deployment. Yet, thousands of women across the country—of every age, race and background—live as if they are in a war zone. This is not just gender-based violence. It is a sustained, systematic assault on women.</p>
<p>According to the latest SAPS crime statistics for Q3 2024/25 (1 October–31 December 2024), women in South Africa experienced: 961 murders – that’s 11 women killed every day 11,803 rapes – more than 131 per day, or 5 every hour 16,023 cases of assault GBH – 45 women seriously assaulted every day.</p>
<p>And these are only the reported cases. Thousands more remain invisible—buried in silence, fear, or distrust of a system that too often fails them.</p>
<p>By comparison, terrorism kills around 1,667 people per month globally. South African women alone face nearly 12,000 violent attacks every month—yet we see no comparable public outrage or mobilisation. If foreign terrorists murdered and raped women at this scale, there would be a national shutdown. Troops in the streets. Special task teams. A presidential address. Instead, we get press conferences and broken promises.</p>
<p>Yes, South Africa does have Sexual Offences Courts—originally reintroduced in 2013 to offer a more supportive environment for survivors. But: There are just over 100 courts for the entire country—far below what’s needed. Many are under-resourced, inconsistently staffed, or not fully operational SOC’s are not backed by permanent legislation, which limits their stability and expansion. Rural and high-crime areas often have no access to these specialised courts at all</p>
<p>In short: the idea exists—but the implementation is too limited, too slow, and too fragile. Forensic backlogs are growing. Cases drag on for years. Survivors face retraumatisation in court. And far too many perpetrators go free. South African women are terrorised daily—with little hope of justice. We cannot continue to describe this crisis with soft language. It is time to act.</p>
<p>Action Society is calling for:</p>
<p>Violence against women to be declared a national disaster.<br />
Urgent investment in Public-Private Partnerships to strengthen investigative and forensic capacity<br />
The expansion and permanent legislation of Sexual Offences Courts—ensuring access in every district<br />
Better-trained prosecutors and magistrates to prioritise gender-based violence Enforcement of mandatory minimum sentences and the closure of legal loopholes<br />
This is not a women’s issue. It’s a national emergency. Raise your voice. Share this message. Demand accountability. Contribute to Action Society to support our campaign for safety, justice, and reform. Because silence protects the predator—not the victim.</p>
<p><em>Juanita du Preez is Action Society Spokesperson</em></p>
<p>The post <a href="https://www.protectionweb.co.za/civil-security/the-silent-siege-violence-against-women-in-south-africa-is-a-national-emergency/">The silent siege: Violence against women in South Africa is a national emergency</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.protectionweb.co.za">ProtectionWeb</a>.</p>
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		<title>&#8216;Escalating&#8217; gun violence in Gauteng condemned</title>
		<link>https://www.protectionweb.co.za/civil-security/escalating-gun-violence-in-gauteng-condemned/</link>
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		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Guy Martin]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Tue, 09 Dec 2025 07:43:54 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Civil Security]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Gauteng]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[gun violence]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[mass shooting]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Portfolio Committee on Community Safety]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.protectionweb.co.za/?p=99131</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>The Gauteng Provincial Legislature’s Portfolio Committee on Community Safety has raised the alarm on the escalating levels of gun violence in the province. This after a mass shooting in Tshwane over the weekend and the murder of a witness of the Madlanga Commission. “The…Portfolio Committee on Community Safety is gravely concerned by the escalating levels [&#8230;]</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://www.protectionweb.co.za/civil-security/escalating-gun-violence-in-gauteng-condemned/">&#8216;Escalating&#8217; gun violence in Gauteng condemned</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.protectionweb.co.za">ProtectionWeb</a>.</p>
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										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>The Gauteng Provincial Legislature’s Portfolio Committee on Community Safety has raised the alarm on the escalating levels of gun violence in the province.</p>
<p>This after a mass shooting in Tshwane over the weekend and the murder of a witness of the Madlanga Commission.</p>
<p>“The…Portfolio Committee on Community Safety is gravely concerned by the escalating levels of gun violence that continue to turn communities across the province into everyday crime scenes.</p>
<p>“The recent mass shooting in Saulsville, Pretoria, is yet another tragic reminder of the urgent need to rid our streets of illegal firearms,” the committee said in a statement.</p>
<p>At least 11 people died during the mass shooting with 14 others injured.</p>
<p>“Even more distressing is the fact that among the deceased are three minors and women, whose lives were cut short in a senseless act of brutality. The committee conveys its heartfelt condolences to the affected families and wishes a speedy recovery to the injured.</p>
<p>“This tragic incident highlights a deeply concerning trend in which illegal guns continue to circulate freely within communities, enabling deadly attacks that devastate families and compromise the safety of citizens.</p>
<p>“The committee views this event as a serious call for concern and reaffirms its commitment to intensifying efforts towards advocating for and achieving a gun-free Gauteng,” the statement said.</p>
<p>The committee expressed shock at the “disturbing development” where a witness in the Madlanga Commission was murdered on Friday.</p>
<p>“Reports indicate that an AK-47 automatic rifle was used in the attack, once again demonstrating how high-calibre weapons are being used to commit violent crimes with impunity.</p>
<p>“Witness D was gunned down outside his home, an incident that highlights the critical need to remove illegal firearms from our streets,” the statement read.</p>
<p>The committee called on law enforcement to ensure that “perpetrators behind these heinous crimes are swiftly apprehended and brought to justice”.</p>
<p>“The committee also urged community members to cooperate fully with the police to aid in the urgent arrest of the three suspects linked to the Saulsville shooting.</p>
<p>“The committee maintains that the proliferation of illegal firearms poses a grave threat to the safety and well-being of all people living in Gauteng.</p>
<p>“Only through strong partnerships between communities, law enforcement and government can we begin to dismantle the networks responsible for supplying and using these deadly weapons,” the statement concluded.</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://www.protectionweb.co.za/civil-security/escalating-gun-violence-in-gauteng-condemned/">&#8216;Escalating&#8217; gun violence in Gauteng condemned</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.protectionweb.co.za">ProtectionWeb</a>.</p>
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		<title>Violence against women a national disaster &#8211; Ramaphosa</title>
		<link>https://www.protectionweb.co.za/civil-security/violence-against-women-a-national-disaster-ramaphosa/</link>
					<comments>https://www.protectionweb.co.za/civil-security/violence-against-women-a-national-disaster-ramaphosa/#disqus_thread</comments>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Guy Martin]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Tue, 09 Dec 2025 07:43:47 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Civil Security]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[cyril ramaphosa]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[GBVF]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Gender-Based Violence and Femicide]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[national disaster]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[South Africa]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[violence against women]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.protectionweb.co.za/?p=99133</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>President Cyril Ramaphosa has used his weekly newsletter to bemoan the country’s persistently high levels of violence against women and children, warning that gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF) now amounts to a national disaster requiring exceptional measures. As South Africa marks the annual 16 Days of Activism campaign, the President’s newsletter underscores the scale of [&#8230;]</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://www.protectionweb.co.za/civil-security/violence-against-women-a-national-disaster-ramaphosa/">Violence against women a national disaster &#8211; Ramaphosa</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.protectionweb.co.za">ProtectionWeb</a>.</p>
]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>President Cyril Ramaphosa has used his weekly newsletter to bemoan the country’s persistently high levels of violence against women and children, warning that gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF) now amounts to a national disaster requiring exceptional measures.</p>
<p>As South Africa marks the annual 16 Days of Activism campaign, the President’s newsletter underscores the scale of the crisis and outlines government’s intensified response after officially declaring GBVF a national disaster last month.</p>
<p>“As South Africa and the world observes 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence from 25 November to 10 December, it is a shame that our country has the dubious distinction of having one of the world’s highest levels of violence against women and girls,” the President said.</p>
<p>According to data from the HSRC’s National GBV Study (2022), more than 35% of women over 18 have experienced physical or sexual violence in their lifetime, with most cases committed by intimate partners. The report, he said, provides the baseline needed to drive the country’s long-term response to GBVF through the National Strategic Plan adopted after the 2018 Presidential Summit.</p>
<p>Reflecting on the long-term effects of gender-based violence, President Ramaphosa said the impact is “arguably even more corrosive” than the devastation caused by COVID-19.</p>
<p>“Gender-based violence destroys families, has an economic cost, causes instability and fear for women and girls, and reproduces inter-generational trauma,” he wrote.</p>
<p>He said classifying GBVF as a national disaster strengthens the mandates of key departments, including Police, Justice, Social Development, Health and Basic Education, to scale up survivor support, expand shelters and safe spaces, and fast-track emergency resource allocation.</p>
<p>All organs of state are now required to submit progress reports to the National Disaster Management Centre.</p>
<p>The President highlighted recent briefings to Parliament’s Multiparty Women’s Caucus, where the SAPS and the Department of Justice reported steps taken to improve case management and strengthen the criminal justice system’s response to GBVF.</p>
<p>These include:</p>
<p>Expansion of victim-friendly facilities and specialised GBV desks at police stations<br />
Establishment of a GBVF Information Centre at SAPS Academy Pretoria<br />
Faster evidence processing and improved collaboration between SAPS and the NPA<br />
A new 24-hour service for obtaining protection orders<br />
Progress on anti-GBV legislation signed into law in 2022, including stronger sexual offences registers and more specialised courts<br />
Despite this, President Ramaphosa acknowledged that implementation of the National Strategic Plan has been “uneven”, saying the disaster classification would help speed up funding flows for survivor services and improve access to justice.</p>
<p>Men are central to the solution</p>
<p>President Ramaphosa again emphasised that men must play a leading role in prevention efforts, echoing remarks he made during the Men’s Indaba in the Free State last week.</p>
<p>“Unless we directly engage men, we will continue to have marches, hold protests and conduct social media campaigns, but the statistics will not change. Even as men are the main perpetrators of GBVF, they are also part of the solution,” he said.</p>
<p>The President called for a nationwide, sustained programme of dialogues with men and boys to confront the drivers of violence including toxic masculinity, harmful cultural norms, peer pressure and socialisation.</p>
<p>President Ramaphosa further stressed that combating GBVF requires a whole-of-society response.</p>
<p>“A national disaster demands national responsibility. Whether as communities, civil society, government, faith leaders, business, unions or citizens, we must all play our part,” he said.</p>
<p>He urged South Africans to report abuse rather than “look away”, and to actively dismantle the attitudes that enable violence.</p>
<p>“The safety and security of women and children is everybody’s business. Let us continue to work together to realise a society free from gender-based violence and femicide,” President Ramaphosa said.</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://www.protectionweb.co.za/civil-security/violence-against-women-a-national-disaster-ramaphosa/">Violence against women a national disaster &#8211; Ramaphosa</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.protectionweb.co.za">ProtectionWeb</a>.</p>
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		<title>NATJOINTS, Madlanga Commission discuss safety of witnesses after murder of Witness D</title>
		<link>https://www.protectionweb.co.za/civil-security/natjoints-madlanga-commission-discuss-safety-of-witnesses-after-murder-of-witness-d/</link>
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		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Guy Martin]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Mon, 08 Dec 2025 08:07:01 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Civil Security]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Madlanga Commission of Inquiry]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Marius van der Merwe]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Natjoints]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Witness D]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.protectionweb.co.za/?p=99124</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>The National Joint Operational and Intelligence Structure (NATJOINTS) on Saturday met with officials of the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry following the killing of Marius van der Merwe. Van der Merwe, who was killed on Friday, 5 December, recently testified before the Judicial Commission of Inquiry into Criminality, Political Interference and Corruption in the Criminal Justice [&#8230;]</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://www.protectionweb.co.za/civil-security/natjoints-madlanga-commission-discuss-safety-of-witnesses-after-murder-of-witness-d/">NATJOINTS, Madlanga Commission discuss safety of witnesses after murder of Witness D</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.protectionweb.co.za">ProtectionWeb</a>.</p>
]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>The National Joint Operational and Intelligence Structure (NATJOINTS) on Saturday met with officials of the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry following the killing of Marius van der Merwe.</p>
<p>Van der Merwe, who was killed on Friday, 5 December, recently testified before the Judicial Commission of Inquiry into Criminality, Political Interference and Corruption in the Criminal Justice System as Witness D.</p>
<p>Officials from the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development also formed part of the meeting to discuss the safety and security of witnesses and officials.</p>
<p>The meeting, held in Pretoria at the NATJOINTS Operations Centre, agreed to enhance the Commission’s security operational plan.</p>
<p>“While extensive measures have been put in place to secure witnesses and officials since the start of the Commission, the meeting identified a need to heighten these measures by roping in the NATJOINTS and all other relevant role players.</p>
<p>Van der Merwe was shot in full view of his family outside their Brakpan home. He was a Brakpan-based security industry member and former Ekhurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department official.</p>
<p>Justice and Constitutional Development Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi on Saturday said Van der Merwe was offered security but he declined the offer, saying he had his own security and he owned a security company.</p>
<p>“After this development, I did interacte with Advocate Khumalo, who is responsible for security at the Commission, to discuss security issues. There is a need to review security issues,” Kubayi said.</p>
<p>Meanwhile, President Cyril Ramaphosa has expressed condolences to the family, friends and colleagues of Van der Merwe.</p>
<p>The Madlanga Commission issued a statement on the passing of Van der Merwe. &#8220;The Commission has noted with profound sadness the brutal killing of one of its witnesses, Mr Marius van der Merwe. The Commission would like to acknowledge Mr Van der Merwe’s contribution towards uncovering serious allegations of criminality and corruption in the Ekhuruleni Metropolitan Municipality and Ekhuruleni Metropolitan Police Department. The Commission extends its deepest condolences to the Van der Merwe family.&#8221;</p>
<p>The South African Police Service has launched a manhunt for the suspects involved in the killing of Van der Merwe.</p>
<p>“Police can thus confirm that evidence gathered at the scene confirms an AK-47 automatic rifle was used in the commission of the crime.</p>
<p>“According to a preliminary investigation, Witness D arrived at his home just after 20:30 with his wife and as he was about to open the gate, he was shot and sustained wounds to his upper body.</p>
<p>“He was certified dead at the scene. His wife, who was a passenger in the car, escaped unharmed and it should be noted that nothing was taken from Witness D, seeing that his firearm, cell phone and wallet were still in his possession,” the police said.</p>
<p>A case of murder has been registered and police have launched a manhunt for the hit orderer and the hitmen who shot and killed Witness D. Police are also looking for the murder weapon.</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://www.protectionweb.co.za/civil-security/natjoints-madlanga-commission-discuss-safety-of-witnesses-after-murder-of-witness-d/">NATJOINTS, Madlanga Commission discuss safety of witnesses after murder of Witness D</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.protectionweb.co.za">ProtectionWeb</a>.</p>
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		<title>Fidelity Services Group appointed as the Fourways Improvement District security provider</title>
		<link>https://www.protectionweb.co.za/civil-security/fidelity-services-group-appointed-as-the-fourways-improvement-district-security-provider/</link>
					<comments>https://www.protectionweb.co.za/civil-security/fidelity-services-group-appointed-as-the-fourways-improvement-district-security-provider/#disqus_thread</comments>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Guy Martin]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Mon, 08 Dec 2025 07:52:41 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Civil Security]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Crime]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[FID]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Fidelity Services Group]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Fourways Improvement District]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[urban decay]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.protectionweb.co.za/?p=99118</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>Fidelity Services Group has been appointed as the official security provider for the Fourways Improvement District (FID), continuing the district’s united approach to combating crime, grime, and urban decay. Fidelity aims to work together with the FID in implementing an integrated safety and urban management strategy to prioritise safety, cleanliness, and urban management. Fidelity said [&#8230;]</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://www.protectionweb.co.za/civil-security/fidelity-services-group-appointed-as-the-fourways-improvement-district-security-provider/">Fidelity Services Group appointed as the Fourways Improvement District security provider</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.protectionweb.co.za">ProtectionWeb</a>.</p>
]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Fidelity Services Group has been appointed as the official security provider for the Fourways Improvement District (FID), continuing the district’s united approach to combating crime, grime, and urban decay.</p>
<p>Fidelity aims to work together with the FID in implementing an integrated safety and urban management strategy to prioritise safety, cleanliness, and urban management.</p>
<p>Fidelity said that just over a year into the rollout of the Fourways Improvement District, the area is already experiencing a remarkable turnaround. Local businesses, residents, and visitors are seeing tangible improvements as the district’s united approach to combating crime, grime, and urban decay delivers measurable results.</p>
<p>Following a rigorous tender process, Fidelity Services Group was appointed as the FID’s official security provider—selected for its 68-year legacy in the security industry, its long-standing footprint in Fourways, and its advanced technology designed to provide real-time protection.</p>
<p>The district is professionally managed by Local Abode Precinct Management, which has implemented an intensive urban-renewal programme. This initiative prioritises enhanced law-enforcement collaboration, strengthened municipal partnerships, and coordinated efforts with private security teams to reduce crime, enforce bylaws, and restore neglected public spaces.</p>
<p>A major boost to visibility and crime prevention has come from the powerful partnership between Vumacam and Fidelity Services Group. Nearly 50 cameras have been integrated into a dedicated control hub at Fourways Mall, creating an advanced surveillance ecosystem that proactively identifies vehicles linked to criminal activity the moment they enter the district.</p>
<p>The FID programme includes:</p>
<p>Monitoring and detecting tampering with traffic lights and municipal infrastructure<br />
Joint operations between Fidelity and law-enforcement agencies to enforce bylaws<br />
Large-scale cleanup and reclamation of public spaces<br />
Collaboration between security operators to ensure a force multiplier in the area<br />
Deployment of fire-response units, drones, medical teams, patrol vehicles, and foot patrols working in coordinated operations</p>
<p>Key achievements to date:</p>
<p>17 suspects arrested, flagged by the Vumacam system for serious crimes including vehicle theft and murder<br />
Marked reduction in vehicle-related crime at local shopping centres compared with previous years<br />
Fewer peak-hour outages, resulting in a noticeable decline in unauthorised individuals directing traffic<br />
Successful removal of illegal traders and advertising trailers through joint operations with JMPD</p>
<p>With the festive season approaching, Fidelity Services Group said it is fully prepared to maintain a secure and welcoming environment throughout Greater Fourways. Estates, complexes, and businesses that are not yet part of the initiative are encouraged to join the Fourways Improvement District and benefit from a safer, cleaner, and better-managed community.</p>
<p>“Our goal for the new year is to expand membership for the FID and expand the services and projects being executed to enhance the Fourways node. Further through partnership with various entities, stakeholders, residents and various levels of government we seek to position Fourways as a leading economic, commercial and residential hub within the city of Johannesburg,” Fidelity said.</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://www.protectionweb.co.za/civil-security/fidelity-services-group-appointed-as-the-fourways-improvement-district-security-provider/">Fidelity Services Group appointed as the Fourways Improvement District security provider</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.protectionweb.co.za">ProtectionWeb</a>.</p>
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		<title>157 children killed in Cape Flats gang violence over five years</title>
		<link>https://www.protectionweb.co.za/civil-security/157-children-killed-in-cape-flats-gang-violence-over-five-years/</link>
					<comments>https://www.protectionweb.co.za/civil-security/157-children-killed-in-cape-flats-gang-violence-over-five-years/#disqus_thread</comments>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Guy Martin]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Fri, 05 Dec 2025 11:42:59 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Civil Security]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[cape flats]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[children]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[gang violence]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.protectionweb.co.za/?p=99109</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>“This horror comes at a time when the most recent national crime statistics did not even report on violence against children, leaving the country without crucial information needed to protect vulnerable young people. At a moment when government should be doing more, it is revealing less,” Democratic Alliance (DA) Spokesperson on Police Lisa Schickerling said [&#8230;]</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://www.protectionweb.co.za/civil-security/157-children-killed-in-cape-flats-gang-violence-over-five-years/">157 children killed in Cape Flats gang violence over five years</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.protectionweb.co.za">ProtectionWeb</a>.</p>
]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>“This horror comes at a time when the most recent national crime statistics did not even report on violence against children, leaving the country without crucial information needed to protect vulnerable young people. At a moment when government should be doing more, it is revealing less,” Democratic Alliance (DA) Spokesperson on Police Lisa Schickerling said in response.</p>
<p>“Every child killed is a tragedy and it is utterly unacceptable that children continue to die while the top leadership of the police are fighting instead of fixing this crisis. Communities across the Cape Flats continue to live under siege. While dedicated SAPS officers do all they can under crippling conditions, the national government continues to fail in its constitutional duty to protect South Africa’s children. The result is a generation growing up to the sound of gunfire instead of laughter,” Schickerling said.</p>
<p>The DA is demanding two urgent national interventions. Firstly, a fully resourced, intelligence-led national anti-gang strategy. This strategy must include measurable targets, firearm tracing, gang-network disruption, and prosecution-ready investigations. A critical component of this is the restoration of South Africa’s crime-intelligence capacity, which has deteriorated through years of instability, mismanagement and poor governance, Schickerling said.</p>
<p>Secondly, the DA wants the immediate devolution of key policing powers to capable provinces and cities. Provinces like the Western Cape and metros like the City of Cape Town must be granted operational control over anti-gang units, firearm enforcement, and hotspot crime-prevention deployments. The current centralised policing model is failing, and the consequences are measured in the lives of children who should have been protected, the DA said.</p>
<p>“South Africa cannot accept a future in which children are murdered on our streets while the SAPS remains silent or ineffective. Families deserve justice. Communities deserve peace. And these children deserved the chance to grow up,” Schicklering said.</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://www.protectionweb.co.za/civil-security/157-children-killed-in-cape-flats-gang-violence-over-five-years/">157 children killed in Cape Flats gang violence over five years</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.protectionweb.co.za">ProtectionWeb</a>.</p>
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		<title>“Wrest control of the clinics from the hands of the vigilantes” judge tells state</title>
		<link>https://www.protectionweb.co.za/civil-security/wrest-control-of-the-clinics-from-the-hands-of-the-vigilantes-judge-tells-state/</link>
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		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Guy Martin]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Fri, 05 Dec 2025 11:38:20 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Civil Security]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[clinics]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Operation Dudula]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[xenophobia]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.protectionweb.co.za/?p=99108</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>The Gauteng High Court in Johannesburg has ordered the national and Gauteng health departments and police to take firm action against “xenophobic vigilantes” blocking access to clinics, particularly by immigrants. Judge Stuart Wilson, in his ruling on Thursday, said: “I had to go no further than to direct the relevant organs of state to do [&#8230;]</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://www.protectionweb.co.za/civil-security/wrest-control-of-the-clinics-from-the-hands-of-the-vigilantes-judge-tells-state/">“Wrest control of the clinics from the hands of the vigilantes” judge tells state</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.protectionweb.co.za">ProtectionWeb</a>.</p>
]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>The Gauteng High Court in Johannesburg has ordered the national and Gauteng health departments and police to take firm action against “xenophobic vigilantes” blocking access to clinics, particularly by immigrants.</p>
<p>Judge Stuart Wilson, in his ruling on Thursday, said: “I had to go no further than to direct the relevant organs of state to do what they are plainly obliged to do within existing legislation and policy. That is to act in a co-ordinate way to ensure access to the clinics.”<img decoding="async" id="gu_counter" class="leave" src="https://republish.groundup.org.za/counter/hit/16179/judge-wraps-government-over-the-knuckles-for-its-failure-to-stop-xenophobic-vigilantes/" alt="" width="1" height="1" /></p>
<p>“The weakness of the state’s response to a well-organised attack on some of the most vulnerable people in our society is of grave concern,” he said. “I am under a duty to grant effective relief to remedy that shortcoming.”</p>
<div class="editor-summary"><a href="https://groundup.org.za/media/uploads/documents/tac_v_facility_manager_yeovile_clinic_-_judgment.pdf">Read the judgment</a></div>
<p>The urgent matter was <a href="https://groundup.org.za/article/court-asked-to-compel-the-state-to-take-action-against-xenophobic-vigilantism-at-clinics/">heard in late November</a>, initiated by the Treatment Action Campaign, Médecins Sans Frontières and Kopanang Africa Against Xenophobia.</p>
<p>The respondents were the managers of the Yeoville and Rosettenville clinics, the City of Johannesburg, and local, provincial and national health and police authorities.</p>
<p>In an interim order, the government entities have now all been directed to take reasonable measures to ensure safe and unhindered physical access to the clinics, to put a stop to the vigilante blockades, to ensure that there are adequate numbers of security guards at entrances, and to report all incidents to the police. The applicants intend to also apply to the court for a final order which will cover all health facilities in Gauteng.</p>
<p>The police have been ordered to provide all necessary assistance to ensure compliance with the order.</p>
<p>The respondents must also file a report within 10 court days, detailing actions they have taken to comply with the interim order.</p>
<p>“Xenophobia is one of the greatest threats to democracy and human rights we presently face,” Judge Wilson said. “Leaving aside the fact that it feeds on that most toxic of human instincts &#8211; the hatred of the other &#8211; forgetting that it is animated by the fantasy that the presence of foreign nationals in South Africa immiserates the lives of its citizens and overlooking that, in its practised form, it is merely another kind of racism, the problem is its misdirection.”</p>
<p>“If we can blame foreigners we need not look to ourselves for solutions to the poverty and inequality that scar our society.”</p>
<p>The judge said the applicants had been getting complaints about the vigilante groups blocking access to the clinics by immigrants by demanding to see their identity documents.</p>
<p>“It appears that those blocking access rely on the passivity of the clinic staff. Security guards and frontlife staff and managers have done little or nothing,” Wilson said.</p>
<p>“On the papers, it seems that those blocking access have at times been allowed to operate from inside the clinics themselves, effectively taking over the security guards’ access control function.”</p>
<p>He said the government departments did not dispute these facts nor did they deny that conduct was unlawful.</p>
<p>“The health authorities contended that they have no direct responsibility or control over the clinics and they have no interest in what goes on outside the clinics’ gates.” In other words, said the judge, their lawyers had submitted that if vigilantes gathered outside to block access, the health authorities had no legal obligation to interfere.</p>
<p>“This position is so extraordinary, that I had to ask (the counsel) to explain it to me twice. When I had come to grips with it, I was satisfied that it is wholly misguided,” he said.</p>
<p>Wilson added, “If the vigilantes have overwhelmed the security guards (and there is little to suggest this on the papers) then security needs to be enhanced,” he said. “If the security guards are actively assisting the vigilantes because they are sympathetic to their aims, steps must be taken to discipline or replace them.”</p>
<p>SAPS had said it had now issued a national instruction “seeking to activate resources and co-ordinate plans” and had asked what else it could be expected to do. “The answer, it seems to me, is plain enough. Wrest control of the clinics from the hands of the vigilantes or show that it is beyond the capacity of the police, and other state roleplayers, to do so,” the judge said.</p>
<p>Wilson said whatever steps had been taken so far, had been completely ineffective, at least at the two clinics. He said the vigilantes were reported, but they were not prosecuted and the blockades carried on.</p>
<p>“It is undisputed that the harm is severe and ongoing. It seems to me that there has been no credible opposition to put up the interim relief.</p>
<p>“The applicants have a strong prima facie right to the final relief they seek &#8211; the adoption of effective measures to eradicate the activities of the vigilantes,” Judge Wilson said.</p>
<p>He gave the applicants leave to approach the court on the same papers for further action to enforce the order.</p>
<p>Written by Tania Broughton for <a href="https://groundup.org.za/">GroundUp</a> and republished with permission. The original article can be found <a href="https://groundup.org.za/article/judge-wraps-government-over-the-knuckles-for-its-failure-to-stop-xenophobic-vigilantes/">here</a>.</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://www.protectionweb.co.za/civil-security/wrest-control-of-the-clinics-from-the-hands-of-the-vigilantes-judge-tells-state/">“Wrest control of the clinics from the hands of the vigilantes” judge tells state</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.protectionweb.co.za">ProtectionWeb</a>.</p>
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