The City has raised concerns over a 45% increase in calls for emergency assistance related to domestic violence complaints.  

It noted that its Public Emergency Communication Centre (PECC) received 6,487 calls in the 2025/26 reporting period, compared to 4,464 two years ago.  

The City’s Safety and Security chief, JP Smith, attributes the increase to a combination of the continued assault against women and children, as well as victims of domestic violence coming forward.  

Tafelsig accounted for the majority of domestic violence-related calls in the last year at 6.8%, followed by Wesbank at 3.6%, Manenberg at 2.8% and Sherwood Park at 2.7%. Other areas among the top 10 included Eastridge, Bonteheuwel, Hanover Park, Delft South, Saxonsea and The Hague. 

“We are two months away from the annual 16 Days of Activism Campaign against Gender-Based Violence, and for the last few weeks, GBV has dominated the national discourse. But we need to do more than talk – justice for vulnerable groups demands effective resourcing, swift arrests and prosecutions and maximum sentences that act as an effective deterrent,” said Smith.  

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The City’s Metro Police Department responded to 941 domestic violence incidents during the period, resulting in 126 arrests.  

However, the City said suspects sometimes leave before officers arrive, while some complainants do not open cases against the perpetrators. In situations like this, Smith said officers can assist with removing suspects or advise complainants about obtaining protection orders under the Domestic Violence Act, 1998. 

He also noted that resources and enforcement did not always match the scale of public safety challenges.  

Smith added that domestic violence could extend beyond intimate relationships, with household disputes sometimes involving threats against parents or other family members.  

“These conflicts do not happen in isolation – in many cases, alcohol or substance abuse are factors – and it is a difficult space to enforce, particularly where complainants are loathe to lay charges or pursue protection orders. This scourge requires a whole-of-society approach that goes far beyond that first emergency call and the resultant enforcement response,” Smith noted. 

The public can contact the PECC on 021 480 7700 in emergencies, or use the “Safety and Security addition to the City App that allows residents to log non-emergency related incidents directly to enforcement departments”.