Kgosi Mosole records high GBV victim case withdrawals
Brilliant Manje | Monday January 19, 2026 09:33
He stated that efforts to bring perpetrators to justice are undermined by victims who withdraw such complaints later on.
Mosole, pointed out that in many GBV cases that are initially reported and even scheduled for court, majority of them do not proceed due to their withdrawal by victims.
“Victims often return to plead on behalf of their partners, choosing to retract their statements and drop the cases altogether, ' he said.
Furthermore, Mosole elaborated that the trend is troubling because GBV cases frequently affect children, either directly or as witnesses of abuse in their homes. He says he wishes to combat the trend.
“I want us to take such matters seriously and apply strict sentencing and punishment for perpetrators whenever cases are allowed to run their full course,” explained Mosole.
Kgosi Mosole indicated that the high rate of withdrawn cases emanates from harsh economic realities.
“Many women and young girls remain in abusive relationships because they depend financially on their partners for survival and basic needs,” said Mosole. He emphasised that dependency leaves such persons with little choice but to protect their abusers, even at the expense of their own safety.
Despite the challenges, Kgosi Mosole says plans are underway to address the issue as it is spiralling out of control.
He revealed that, together with the Ministry of Youth and Gender Affairs as well as other stakeholders, they are coming up with strategies and interventions expected to be rolled out this year depending on the budget to help curb the rising GBV cases.