Despite an overall decrease in femicide during periods of alcohol bans, intimate partner femicides rose significantly. Alarmingly, fewer than 1 in 5 such cases resulted in a conviction, reflecting a dramatic decrease in the likelihood of justice for victims. The study noted an increase in cases with unidentified perpetrators, contributing to this trend.

“Femicide is preventable, yet reports of such violence have become distressingly common in South Africa. We must address this crisis urgently, especially given the sharp rise in intimate partner femicide during the pandemic,” stated Prof. Naeemah Abrahams, Chief Specialist Scientist at the SAMRC. She emphasised the need for an improved justice system response to gender-based violence, given the low conviction rates and the growing number of unsolved cases.

While intimate partner femicide rates had previously decreased from four women a day in 1999 to three in 2009, they have stagnated since then. The latest data shows that intimate partner femicides accounted for 60.1% of all femicides, with 1 in 6 murdered women exhibiting signs of sexual violence.

The Eastern Cape reported the highest femicide rates, while Gauteng experienced a notable rise in cases during 2020/21. Although some provinces, such as the Western Cape, Northern Cape, and Free State, saw slight decreases, these were not significant.

The SAMRC report, which involved an extensive review of mortuary files and police interviews, highlighted the growing issue of unidentified perpetrators, leading to more unresolved cases. Prof. Abrahams cautioned that the decline in convictions sends a troubling message that gender-based violence and femicide are tolerated, necessitating a comprehensive, multi-sectoral approach to effectively combat this crisis.