Madam Deputy Speaker, I mean taking concrete steps where it is within the competence of government, and facilitating concrete steps wherever possible when it is not. That means appointing capable, independent people of integrity to crucial positions to lead by example.
Aside from the multitude of social issues that must be addressed with the aim of prevention, when a woman or girl becomes a victim of gender-based violence, she should have the confidence that, at least in the majority of cases, the perpetrators would be apprehended, tried, convicted and appropriately punished. Deterrence is an important aspect of preventing these crimes. When we take a look at our criminal justice system, it is abundantly clear why offenders continue to commit violent crimes with impunity, because they know that there is very little chance that they will be caught and punished.
The Domestic Violence Act came into operation in 1999. There has not been one year since then that the SAPS have even come close to complying with it. When a woman goes to a police station to report a crime and is taken to a room and raped by a police officer, as reportedly happened at the Herbertsdale satellite police station, is it any wonder that people often do not even bother to report crimes? Whilst not wishing to detract from the excellent work done by many police officers, stories like this do nothing to inspire confidence in the justice system and perpetuate the cycle of gender-based violence, as women do not know which police officers they can trust.
Over and above this, there are far too many reports of police failing to properly secure crime scenes and collect available evidence. It does not take a rocket scientist to know that unless you secure the best possible evidence you will not get a conviction. Where is the leadership, so desperately needed, to ensure that the members of the SAPS are properly trained, or in the case of those with improper motives, properly removed from the service?
Some progress was being made when we had a specialised Financial Crimes Section, FCS Unit, Gang Unit and Narcotics Unit. Those were abolished by the then Police Commissioner, Jackie Selebi, who is now a convicted criminal. Some credit is due to Minister Mthethwa for reinstating the FCS Units, but imagine how much more progress we could have made if they had not been abolished in the first place. I would venture to suggest that, instead of challenging every initiative of the Western Cape government to address serious crime, his energy would be more productively spent in re- establishing the Gang and Drug Units, and ensuring that all specialised units are properly resourced. This would be a bold step in addressing gender-based violence, as gangs and drugs are huge contributors to this scourge.
We were also making some progress when we had the 67 dedicated sexual offences courts in 2006. Through more failed leadership these have been reduced to 6.
Whatever method the National Prosecution Authority, NPA, uses to bolster their pathetic conviction rate in respect of sexual offences, the reality is that, of about 64 000 reported rapes in 2011-12, a mere 6,2% resulted in a conviction. Any betting person would fancy those odds.
We welcome the Justice Minister's eventual announcement that these courts would be reinstated, and trust that in tomorrow's Budget we shall see sufficient money allocated to the roll-out of these courts. We do have to wonder, however, given that the Justice department has already had its budget slashed by R600 million, whether the President sleeps well in his air-conditioned bunker at his private residence, knowing that it cost a third of the amount cut from delivering justice to the people of South Africa.
So, what do we do? In 2002, a special task group of this House drafted a detailed report setting out numerous interventions that need to take place across all spheres of society and government departments. Instead of implementing them, we have seen flip-flopping at the highest level. We challenge all Cabinet Ministers to dust off this report and start showing leadership by addressing the issues raised. Where there is leadership, there is action, not just talk.
In the Western Cape provincial government the following has already been done - not will be done, but has been done: The budget for the victim empowerment programme has been increased from R7,8 million in 2009 to R17,7 million this year; every police station has a victim support room; about 180 Mass Participation Opportunity and Development Centres have been introduced to keep children in poorer communities constructively occupied after school; over 1 100 Early Childhood Development Centres are funded by the provincial government; the Chrysalis Academy targets youth at risk to divert them from a life of crime; the budget for the reduction of drug- and alcohol-related crimes have been doubled to R77 milliom, a third of what was spent on Nkandla; and the Western Cape Liquor Act is viewed as the toughest liquor legislation in South Africa.
The City of Cape Town is likewise implementing a broad range of programmes to address gender-based violence. One is aimed at raising awareness and understanding of drug-related harm, which is being spearheaded by the mayor in her "Don't Start, Be Smart" campaign.
We have five Matrix Clinics around Cape Town that provide a comprehensive and free programme for alcohol and substance abuse. The city has a dedicated vice squad focusing on combating crimes that specifically affect women. A "Good Touch, Bad Touch" programme is being rolled out at schools across the city, with school resource officers assigned to certain schools on a permanent basis.
All Metro police are trained in the implementation of the Domestic Violence Act, and how to help women obtain interdicts. Metro police have a specialist Substance Abuse Unit, which we used to have in the SAPS working closely with the SAPS.
Madam Deputy Speaker, that is leadership, and that is what our country needs to combat gender-based violence, not more talking. In 2014 the people of South Africa will be able to make that choice. Thank you. [Applause.]