Surge in GBV calls puts emergency response under scrutiny

There has been a significant increase in calls to South Africa’s Gender-Based Violence Command Centre, with 6,782 calls recorded between September 1 and 16, averaging 424 daily, up from 350 in August. A spike occurred between September 13 and 16, with about 500 calls daily, peaking at 589 on September 16. This surge coincides with heightened violence against women, including the discovery of 12 women dead in Ekurhuleni. The emergency response system, particularly the 10111 service, faces criticism due to nearly 45% of centers operating with reduced capacity and a lack of modernization investments.