Media statement.
Wednesday, 30 September 2026.
PRETORIA – The Democratic Nursing Organisation of South Africa (DENOSA) National Gender structure notes and warmly welcomes last night’s address to the nation by State President, Cyril Ramaphosa, on the killings of women and his announcement of government’s 4-Point Plan to fight the scourge of Gender-Based Violence and Femicide that has engulfed the area of Ekurhuleni and beyond.
DENOSA urges community members, including nurses, to participate fully in local municipalities’ safety audit programmes, within 60 days, that will identify unsafe areas, broken streetlights, unsafe routes and poorly secured parks and cemeteries, among others.
DENOSA agrees with the President that the gruesome killings of women cannot continue as normal, that the safety of women should not be made their sole responsibility, and that men and boys in society must also stand up and play their part in protecting women and the vulnerable members of society.
The government’s comprehensive emergency response, under the coordination of the Deputy Commissioner for Detectives at the South African Police Service (SAPS) is giving hope, especially on the unresolved cases, as well as the prioritization of the forensic-related cases, and the bottlenecks in the forensic work that must be unclogged to expedite the court-going cases.
While the President has urged community members with information to come forward and give information to law enforcement agencies, DENOSA would like the government to assist this process by removing the fear amongst community members to share this information. Most community members are gripped by fear and lack of trust for local police, as many suspect some police members to be working with the criminals.
DENOSA calls on the government to tightly monitor government departments’ thorough implementation of the National Strategic Plan on Gender-Based Violence & Femicide, including at municipal level.
Lastly, DENOSA supports the call by President for law enforcement agencies to ensure 100 percent compliance with liquor laws, and that all bylaws are adhered to, all the times, in communities. Many acts of violence, and killings of women, are often triggered by alcohol usage in communities, often at times and outlets that are not compliant with the bylaws.
End.
Issued by the Democratic Nursing Organisation of South Africa (DENOSA) National Gender Structure.
For more information, contact:
Khutlang Lethena, DENOSA National Gender Chairperson.
Mobile: 066 200 9021.
Ntsako Mathebula, DENOSA National Gender Secretary.
Mobile: 082 929 2864.
