South Africa records 332 gender-based violence cases involving police officers

Friday 02 - 15:57

By: Azzat Manal

South Africa records 332 gender-based violence cases involving police officers

South Africa’s Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) registered 5,259 cases of alleged police misconduct during the 2025/26 financial year, including 332 cases linked to gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF). The figures were released as part of IPID’s annual report, highlighting continued concerns over violence involving members of the police service.

The GBVF-related cases included 122 domestic violence referrals, 116 alleged rapes, 58 cases involving assault or torture, 24 murders and 10 incidents involving the discharge of official firearms. The number of rape cases involving police officers increased from 95 in 2024/25 to 116 in 2025/26. Of the latest cases, 72 allegedly involved officers who were on duty, while 44 involved officers who were off duty.

KwaZulu-Natal recorded the highest number of GBVF-related cases involving police, with 60 cases, followed by Gauteng with 58 and the Free State with 52. The Eastern Cape and Northern Cape each recorded 27 cases. IPID said the figures reflect cases reported to the directorate and should not be interpreted as a measure of the overall prevalence of gender-based violence across the provinces.

IPID reported 84 criminal convictions during the year, compared with 43 in the previous financial year. Twenty-six of those convictions were related to GBVF cases, while sentences across the various cases ranged from several months in prison to life imprisonment. The directorate also reported 281 arrests and said that, by March 31, 2026, a total of 994 cases had been enrolled in court following recommendations for criminal proceedings.

The latest figures come as South Africa continues to strengthen its institutional response to gender-based violence. In November 2025, the government classified GBVF as a national disaster, allowing for a coordinated response involving policing, justice, health and social development authorities.

The government has also identified stronger investigations and accountability within the police as part of its response. In the 2025/26 financial year, IPID finalised 132 rape investigations, resulting in nine criminal convictions and 19 departmental convictions, according to a government parliamentary briefing. Other GBVF-related cases resulted in 17 criminal and 27 departmental convictions.

The data underline a dual challenge for South African authorities: addressing widespread gender-based violence while ensuring that allegations involving law-enforcement officials are independently investigated and, where criminal responsibility is established, brought before the courts. IPID says its work is guided by independence, accountability and the integrity of its investigations.

With GBVF formally classified as a national disaster, the latest police misconduct figures are likely to keep attention focused on the effectiveness of investigations, victim protection and accountability within the institutions responsible for enforcing the law.