News24 | Elections 2024: Steenhuisen challenges Ramaphosa to start tackling crime before the polls

DA leader John Steenhuisen. (@DA_Mpumalanga/X formerly Twitter)

With just over a month to go for what is expected to be one of the most hotly contested elections in democratic South Africa, the leader of the opposition has given the leader of the ruling ANC a challenge: implement specialised resources to tackle gender-based violence before the country heads to the polls.

DA leader John Steenhuisen wrote to President Cyril Ramaphosa, challenging him to put in place specialised courts and police units for gender-based violence victims, as well as dedicated prosecutors to deal with murders and human trafficking.

"While the DA's overall plan to reduce crime includes key elements, such as devolving policing powers to competent local and provincial governments, professionalising the South African Police Service (SAPS), creating a new fully independent Chapter 9 constitutional institution to combat priority crimes, and instituting rural safety units to combat farm murders, the explosion in violent crime directed at women and children in our country demands a dedicated response," Steenhuisen said.

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