In a bold step to intensify the battle against Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (GBVF), Limpopo South African Police Service (SAPS), assisted by the other critical stakeholders, today on Friday, 23 May 2025, lead a GBVF Peaceful prayer March and an Imbizo in Thohoyandou, one of the most affected areas within the province.
The occasion will also be attended by the Guest of Honour, Deputy Minister of Police Dr Polly Boshielo and the highest echelons of SAPS leadership, such as Divisional Commissioner of Detectives and Forensic Services, Lieutenant General HK Senthumule. Over 2,000 members of the community, such as students, traditional leaders, civil society members, and religious organisations, will attend mobilisation.
These community-based activities form part of the government-led wider program to provide women and children with safe spaces, awareness, and open discussions on the underlying causes of GBV.
The Imbizo will offer the residents a platform to express their lived experiences and frustrations and receive feedback on current government and police response. There will be a keynote address from Premier Ramathuba, reaffirming Limpopo’s provincial response and prevention strategy on GBVF.
Why Thohoyandou?
Thohoyandou in Vhembe District is one of the GBV hotspots in recent SAPS crime data. Sexual violence, intimate partner violence, and child abuse have all escalated in the last 12 months. These facts make the town a priority location for high-level engagement with government, traditional leadership, and grassroots mobilization.
Speaking earlier on to the media, Limpopo Premier’s Office senior spokesperson, Thilivhali Muavha who applauded the organised march stated that, “The selection of Thohoyandou is intentional”. “This is not tokenistic visibility alone – it is taking leadership to the frontline of the people in the communities where they are suffering.”
SAPS: A resolute force against GBV
The participation of SAPS at the highest levels indicates the on-going dedication of the police service to preventing, investigating, and partnering with the community to fight GBV.
SAPS have introduced a range of GBVF-specific interventions over the last two years, such as Operation Basadi – a continuous campaign of the SAPS Women’s Network and Men for Change to advocate the safety of women and gender equity within police ranks and communities.
The 2024 National Dialogues on GBV in all nine provinces, where SAPS co-chaired sessions with civil society to foster public trust and accountability.
The 2025 Anti-GBV Training Rollout that has capacitated more than 8,000 officers in victim-centered policing techniques and forensic interviewing.
Earlier this year, SAPS Limpopo opened a Mobile Victim Support Centre in Giyani, and reopened the Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences (FCS) Unit satellite station in Jane Furse, demonstrating the determination of the police to broaden access to justice for victims.
Brigadier General Hlulani Mashaba reaffirmed that SAPS still focuses on “rapid response mechanisms, better case management, and forensic evidence collection” as fundamental pillars of their GBVF approach.
From strategy to street-level action
The National Strategic Plan on GBVF (2020-2030) of South Africa is still the overarching plan for all government departments. Its pillars include accountability, prevention, protection, justice, and healing.
Premier Ramathuba, known for her dynamic leadership style, has anchored Limpopo’s GBV prevention program to this strategy. She recently called for “total societal change” and “zero tolerance for GBV enablers – whether in homes, boardrooms or government corridors”.
Friday’s Imbizo and march are just months ahead of Women’s Month and are being viewed as a springboard for more focused interventions, especially in rural and semi-urban areas. The fact that institutions of higher learning were involved also speaks to an acknowledgment that GBV is disproportionately affecting students and young women.
A community-owned future
The event is being organised in collaboration with: Traditional Leaders, whose support is important in transforming dangerous cultural norms; Faith-Based Organisations, which will offer prayers and trauma counseling; Youth and Student Movements, who are the next line of advocacy; Women-operated NGOs, offering shelter, counseling, and legal support to victims.
“We are marching and not for awareness,” Muavha, the Premier’s spokesperson, said.
“We are marching for action, accountability, and healing.”
Deputy Minister Boshielo will also present recent developments in legislation to strengthen sentencing and bail for GBV-related offenses.
However, as the sun rises on 23 May over Thohoyandou, there will be marching in the thousands – not in protest, but in solidarity. The peaceful March and Imbizo are not just activities, but a collective statement that the people of Limpopo will not normalise violence. With intergovernmental unity, police action, and community ownership, a new chapter is being written in combating GBV.
