South Africa urgently needs Clare’s Law — a legal right for individuals to know whether a current or potential partner has a history of domestic violence.

Recently, Nicky van Heerden was brutally murdered by her partner in Rivertides, Garden Route. Like so many victims before her, she was unknowingly exposed to lethal danger. Her death is not an isolated tragedy — it is part of a devastating national pattern that continues because our systems fail to prioritise prevention.

Currently, domestic violence complaints and protection orders are not centrally linked by perpetrator ID. This allows repeat abusers to move between relationships undetected, while victims unknowingly enter dangerous situations.

Clare’s Law would prevent unnecessary trauma AND save lives by:

• Allowing individuals to request disclosure about a partner’s violent history
• Enabling police to proactively warn potential victims when credible risk exists
• Requiring centralised linking of domestic violence cases and protection orders

This creates early intervention, informed decision-making, and real prevention.

Most domestic violence is not sudden or unpredictable — it follows escalating patterns. When systems connect the dots, violence can be stopped before it becomes fatal.

We call on the Department of Justice, SAPS, and Parliament to urgently implement Clare’s Law in South Africa and create a national domestic violence disclosure and tracking system.

In memory of all those victims that could have been protected, and for the protection of every woman, child, and partner at risk in the future. 

We have the right to know.

Safety should never depend on chance.