Southern Africa Unites to Address Gun Violence and Media’s Role

KEY POINTS

• Gun violence remains a crisis, with 2,800 firearm-related murders in late 2024.
• Experts urge media to focus on solutions rather than sensationalism.
• The Peace My City Committee promotes gun-free zones in high-crime areas.

Due to the easy access to firearms, the high rate of youth unemployment, and the impact of gang culture, gun violence is still a significant problem in South Africa and the surrounding area.

Gun violence remains a crisis in Southern Africa

Experts and interested parties from South Africa, Eswatini, Botswana, Lesotho, and Namibia convened at the event, Silencing the Guns in SA – Addressing Root Causes and Reporting Beyond Violence, to talk about the problem. 

Aziz Hartley, keynote speaker and former editor of Weekend Argus and Cape Argus, stated that the public’s perception of violence is greatly influenced by crime reporting.

He remarked, “It’s been said that bad news sells—controversy, scandal, and violence draw readers and boost ad revenue.”

According to Hartley, sensationalized crime reports frequently glorify gang culture and violence, which incites young people to commit crimes. 

The crime statistics show how urgent the problem is. More than 2,800 gun-related homicides were recorded in South Africa between October and December 2024; 42 percent of all homicides used firearms.

Gun Free SA’s regional coordinator, Monique Hansen, stated that tougher gun laws are not enough to stop gun violence. She identified underlying socioeconomic problems including substance misuse, poverty, and the normalization of gang violence as important contributing factors.

“The extensive availability of firearms exacerbates this crisis, and South Africa has one of the highest murder rates in the world,” she stated.

Community-driven initiatives aim to reduce firearm-related crime

The Peace My City Committee was established on February 22, 2025, with the goal of reducing violence. Through the promotion of firearm-free zones and community-driven solutions, the campaign, spearheaded by the International Peace Youth Group and backed by peace organizations, seeks to lower gun violence in high-crime neighborhoods including Bonteheuwel, Langa, and Manenberg.

Speaking during the launch, Professor Brian Williams stated that in order to bring about enduring peace, various types of violence must be addressed.

“To achieve significant change, we need to address direct, structural, and psychological violence,” he stated.

The International Peace Youth Group’s regional coordinator, Abisola Shofyeke, emphasized international peace initiatives, such as mediation efforts in the Philippines’ Mindanao.

“HWPL contributed to the resolution of a decades-long dispute through discussion and mediation. This demonstrates that when communities and leaders are dedicated to finding practical answers, peace can be achieved,” she remarked.

According to Iol, President Cyril Ramaphosa has called for more robust measures, including as improved enforcement of gun regulations and the seizure of illicit firearms, in response to the increase in gun violence.