Thulamahashe Magistrate’s Court in Mpumalanga registered 194 domestic-violence matters in just four months, a statistic Deputy Justice Minister Andries Nel said should concern everyone as South Africa continues to battle gender-based violence.

Nel disclosed the figures during his keynote address at the closing of Access to Justice Week 2026 in Thulamahashe, Bushbuckridge.

Between 1 April and 31 July, the court registered 194 domestic-violence matters, along with 98 maintenance matters, 38 Small Claims Court matters and 85 criminal matters.

“The number of domestic violence matters being dealt with here in Thulamahashe should concern every one of us,” Nel said.

He said gender-based violence could not be addressed by the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development alone, with police, prosecutors, magistrates, social workers, traditional leaders, schools, families, men and communities all having responsibilities.

“Our message must be unambiguous: Violence against women and children is not a “family matter”

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