Whispers of Injustice: Revealing the Silent Struggle of Men Wrongfully Accused of Gender-Based Violence and Other Crimes, Convicted in South Africa

Sabelinah Mmabjala Tshoane1

Abstract
In South Africa, wrongful accusations of Gender-Based Violence (GBV) and
other crimes against men have become a significant societal concern, exposing
intricacies within the justice system. Despite ongoing efforts to combat GBV, reported
cases of men being wrongfully accused underscore the necessity for a nuanced
approach to address this form of injustice. This qualitative study employs a nonempirical research design, specifically a systematic review, utilizing indirect observation schedules to identify and describe existing literature. Through inductive textual content analysis, the study explores the social, legal, and emotional implications of false accusations against men. The key findings reveal a disturbing trend in the South African criminal justice system, where wrongfully accused men, even upon being found not guilty, experience a profound lack of support and face challenges postrelease. The absence of tailored programs within both the criminal justice system and governmental initiatives highlights a critical oversight. To address these shortcomings, the researcher recommends a multifaceted approach, emphasizing the need for proactive steps by the South African criminal justice system and the government to
mitigate the challenges faced by wrongfully accused men after their release.

Keywords: wrongful accusations, gender-based violence, conviction, men victims, justice failure.