KwaZulu-Natal has deployed 211 gender-based violence and femicide activists to police stations across the province in a fresh effort to tackle one of South Africa’s most urgent social crises. The activists, drawn from districts across KZN, were welcomed by Premier Thamsanqa Ntuli at the Westville Correctional Facility in Durban on Tuesday.

Ntuli said the activists form part of government’s intervention against the ongoing scourge of GBVF. According to him, they will receive intensive training and take on several roles, including restoring hope in communities, raising awareness, pushing for justice for survivors, and demanding accountability from authorities.

Focus Goes Beyond Police Station Desks

The premier made it clear that the activists are not only expected to assist at police stations. He said their work must also centre on community mobilisation and prevention. That includes leading or joining marches and awareness programmes to show that the provincial government is taking a visible stand against abuse and femicide.

Ntuli also said a system will be created for activists to deposit information from cases reported at police stations. He said this would help government track whether cases are rising or falling daily, identify hotspots, and respond faster in areas where intervention is most needed.

Activists say Communities Need More Support

One of the deployed activists, Niven Naidoo, who is based at Phoenix Police Station, said the programme has empowered them to work directly in communities, create awareness, tackle GBV, and address bullying in schools. He said Phoenix is struggling with substance abuse and violence among peers and families, creating an unsafe environment.

Naidoo said part of their mission is to challenge harmful mindsets, cultures and beliefs that may have once been normalised. He added that while government has set aside funding and programmes for GBVF, more support is still needed on the ground.

Drugs Flagged as a Major Driver

Another activist, Mlungisi Ngwane, said drugs remain one of the biggest challenges in affected communities, especially near schools. He said activists engage communities through campaigns, dialogues, church visits and stakeholder meetings, but warned that drug activity continues to fuel violence and make prevention harder.

The deployment signals a more practical and community-based push by the KZN government. The real test now will be whether this frontline presence leads to fewer cases and safer communities.