For Immediate Release
Date: 12 April 2026
Opposition to Bail Application of Tshepo Ntsimane – A Call for Justice and Urgent Action Against GBVF
The Civil Society Unmuted Coalition South Africa – Women and Gender Commission in Gauteng, strongly condemns and opposes the bail application of Tshepo Ntsimane, who stands accused of the rape of a 13-year-old girl in Dobsonville.
We stand in unwavering solidarity with the survivor and her family. We assert that granting bail in such a grave case would not only undermine the seriousness of gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF), but also send a dangerous message to survivors across the country, that their pain is secondary to procedural leniency.
We will be present at the bail hearing scheduled for 14 April 2026 at the Roodepoort Magistrate’s Court, to demonstrate our collective outrage and to demand justice.
Our Position is Clear:
- We say #NoBailForTshepoNtsimane
- We declare #EnoughIsEnough
- We demand an end to GBVF through #StopGBVF
- We stand for the survivor through #JusticeForReabetswe
A Call to Action
As civil society, we are angry. We are tired. We are grieving. But above all, we are demanding change.
We call upon the President of South Africa, Cyril Ramaphosa, to move beyond statements and take decisive, urgent action against GBVF. South Africans do not need more speeches, we need visible, measurable, and immediate interventions that protect women and children.
Our Demands:
- A justice system that prioritizes the safety and dignity of survivors
- Stronger opposition to bail in cases involving sexual violence against minors
- Safer communities, schools, and homes
- Increased accountability from law enforcement and judicial systems
- Implementation of existing GBVF policies with urgency and transparency
Conclusion
We refuse to be silent. We refuse to normalize violence. We refuse to accept a South Africa where women and children live in fear.
This is not just about one case, this is about a system that must change.
We call on all members of society to stand with us on the 14th of April 2026. Let us raise our voices together and demand justice, not only for Reabetswe, but for every victim of GBVF in our country.
Issued by:
Civil Society Unmuted Coalition South Africa
Endorsed by: National Women and Gender Commission – Chairperson
Gauteng Chairperson - Thenjiwe Octavia Makhubu
| Download the Media Statement
