Hlabisa calls on men to lead fight against femicide as IFP unveils manifesto

By Thapelo Molefe

IFP president Velenkosini Hlabisa has called on men across South Africa to take the lead in the fight against gender-based violence and femicide, saying the killings of women have become a national crisis.

Hlabisa made the call on Sunday while launching the Inkatha Freedom Party’s five-point manifesto for the 2026 Local Government Elections at Princess Magogo Stadium in KwaMashu, Durban.

His address came as he paid tribute to nine women whose bodies were discovered in Ekurhuleni over the past two months.

Hlabisa said men could no longer simply distance themselves from gender-based violence by saying crimes were committed “not in our name”.

“To say not in our name is no longer enough because it continues in our name. Now we must say it ends here and now,” he said.

He called for men’s forums to be established across the country to bring men together with government, civil