Western Cape: The third most dangerous province for women in South Africa

Activists warn that the 50 511 reported GBVF cases for 2025/26 understate the crisis.

The Western Cape has emerged as the third most dangerous place in South Africa for women, according to recent police statistics.

South Africa’s fight against gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF) faces renewed scrutiny following the release of sobering police statistics for the 2025/26 financial year.

Acting Police Minister Professor Firoz Cachalia reported that 50 511 GBVF cases were registered with the SAPS, with 30 736 resulting in arrests or referrals to the National Prosecuting Authority.

Of those 50 511 cases, 7 951 cases were reported in the Western Cape. The number of incidents put the province behind only KwaZulu-Natal (9 412) and Gauteng (8 933), with the Eastern Cape following with 7 638 cases.