ZARetired Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga criticized the South African legal system for failing to address the emotional and psychological trauma experienced by survivors of gender-based violence (GBV). In a lecture at the University of Cape Town, Madlanga emphasized that the court process often exacerbates the trauma of survivors rather than providing healing. He noted that judicial attitudes influenced by sexism or misogyny can lead to unjust outcomes, including acquittals or lenient sentences. Madlanga, who chairs the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry into corruption and political interference in the criminal justice system, called for judicial officers to avoid further harming survivors during legal proceedings. Police data showed a slight decrease in reported sexual offenses in the first quarter of 2025, but over 50,000 GBV and femicide cases were reported in the 2025/26 financial year, with nearly 30,000 resulting in arrests or prosecutions. KZN Network on Violence Against Women executive director Cookie Edwards highlighted systemic delays and insensitivity in handling cases.
Bias read (Progressive): The article frames the issue through the lens of systemic injustice and calls out judicial biases rooted in sexism and misogyny, aligning with progressive critiques of the legal system. While it presents factual data, the emphasis on institutional failure and the call for reform reflect a left-wing,
