South Africa reports continued violence against women in 2026

Thursday 17 - 22:36

By: Azzat Manal

South Africa reports continued violence against women in 2026

South Africa continues to face serious challenges linked to violence against women, with new figures highlighting the scale of killings, attempted murders and sexual offences recorded during 2026.

According to figures cited by the South African Human Rights Commission, around 569 women were killed between April and June, while another 1,052 survived attempted murder during the same period. The commission also reported 8,814 rape cases during the first quarter of the year, underscoring the persistent scale of gender-based violence across the country.

The figures come as authorities and human rights institutions continue to examine the factors behind violence against women and the effectiveness of measures designed to protect victims and bring perpetrators to justice. The South African Human Rights Commission has described gender-based violence and femicide as one of the country's major human rights challenges and has called for coordinated action involving state institutions and communities.

The issue has also drawn renewed attention following the discovery of the bodies of several women in and around Ekurhuleni, east of Johannesburg, in recent months. South African police are investigating the deaths, some of which showed signs of sexual violence, while authorities have not yet established whether the cases are connected. President Cyril Ramaphosa has called for a thorough investigation.

The human rights commission has stressed that violence against women occurs across different social and economic groups. Perpetrators can include people known to victims, such as relatives, intimate partners, colleagues or individuals in positions of authority, illustrating the complexity of preventing gender-based violence.

The problem also extends into educational institutions. A report released by the South African Human Rights Commission in June 2026 highlighted concerns over sexual violence in schools and called for stronger measures to protect learners from abuse by educators, peers, staff members, service providers and people from outside school communities.

The commission has continued to push for a stronger human-rights-based response to gender-based violence and femicide. In July, it joined other constitutional institutions in launching a national inquiry examining how cases of gender-based violence are reported, investigated and handled within the criminal justice system.

Despite government measures and public campaigns, the continued reporting of killings and sexual violence shows that preventing such crimes requires action across multiple areas, including law enforcement, victim support, education and access to justice.

The latest developments have renewed calls for stronger protection mechanisms and better coordination between institutions responsible for preventing violence, supporting survivors and investigating reported crimes.