Neelam Rahim | neelam@radioislam.co.za
3-minute read | 15 August 2025 | 12:00 CAT

National Shelter Movement slams SAPS officers allegedly pressuring GBV survivors to drop cases, warning it endangers lives and fuels femicide.

The National Shelter Movement of South Africa (NSMSA) has raised alarm during Women’s Month over what it calls a “contemptible” and persistent practice by some South African Police Service (SAPS) officers encouraging or permitting gender-based violence (GBV) survivors to withdraw cases.

“This is not a procedural failure, it’s a betrayal of justice,” said NSMSA National Coordinator, Sister Annisa Moosa. Speaking to Radio Islam International, Moosa stressed that reports of this misconduct have surfaced repeatedly over the years, pointing to a “big concern” for survivor safety and justice.

Any GBV survivor who approaches a police station for help but is dismissed, she said, is placed at further risk. “It threatens her safety and perpetuates gender-based violence,” Moosa explained. Survivors, often already “emotional, distraught and devastated,” may find themselves without referrals to psychosocial services or sheltering, and are sometimes forced to return to abusive homes, situations that heighten the risk of femicide.

South Africa’s femicide rate is five times the global average, and Moosa warns that “every dropped GBV case” carries the potential for fatal consequences. “Aside from the betrayal of justice, there’s negligence. It’s dangerous for survivors, and they lose hope in the justice system,” she said, adding that the police are the very people survivors expect to protect them in their most vulnerable moments.

The conversation also touched on recent allegations of corruption, misconduct, and even criminal collusion within SAPS. Moosa expressed deep concern, saying, “We have to do something. We can’t keep quiet. These media outputs are so important, we need to make a noise. We need to hold responsible persons accountable. There has to be zero tolerance and robust oversight.”

She called for urgent investigations into case withdrawals and for stronger emphasis on police officers’ responsibilities in GBV and femicide interventions. “The responsible people need to be taken to task,” Moosa said, underscoring that accountability must be non-negotiable.

As South Africa grapples with one of the highest femicide rates in the world, the NSMSA’s call serves as a stark reminder that the fight against GBV is not just about laws on paper, but about ensuring those tasked with enforcing them do so with integrity, urgency, and compassion.

Listen to the full interview on Your World Today with Mufti Yusuf Moosagie and Annisa Moosa.