New murders of women have once again sparked fear across South Africa, as a series of grisly discoveries in the Ekurhuleni district near Johannesburg have drawn national attention.
Background
BBC reporter "What we are going to do, I have no idea," quoted grieving aunt Nokwanda Matshikiza, describing the murder of her niece Dineo Motapane. Dineo, a 38‑year‑old mother of two, was last seen alive on a Sunday and later found battered and partially burned in Ekurhuleni. Her death is one of three bodies discovered in the area that week, bringing the total to nine women found under similar circumstances since July.
Scale of the problem
South Africa already records some of the world’s highest rates of gender‑based violence. Official quarterly crime statistics show that between April and June this year 5,427 people were murdered. The Human Rights Commission’s data for the same period indicate that 569 women were killed – an average of six per day – and 1,052 women faced attempted murder. While the national figures are not gender‑specific, the concentration of female victims in Ekurhuleni underscores a broader crisis.
Official response
President Cyril Ramaphosa pledged to leave “no stone unturned” in investigating the Ekurhuleni cases, urging the nation to stand up for the rights, safety, and dignity of women and girls. Earlier, Minister of Social Development Nokuzola Sisisi Tolashe declared gender‑based violence a national disaster, aiming to mobilise resources and policy focus.
Civil society reaction
Activists and community groups have intensified protests. The Girl2Woman Foundation, represented by Lumka Maqhubela, has organised rallies to demand stronger police protection. Amnesty International called for the recognition of femicide as a separate crime, arguing that “Every day that femicide remains unrecognised as a crime is a failure to confront the targeted killing of women.”
- Calls for femicide legislation in South Africa, already in force in 33 countries.
- Public demonstrations such as the “Women’s Shut Down” march during the G20 summit.
- Community testimonies highlighting fear in everyday activities, from shopping to walking home.
Uncertainty
Police have not confirmed whether the murders are linked to a single serial offender; they have only made one arrest two days after the first body was found on 15 July, and no further detentions have followed. The lack of definitive forensic connections means the possibility of multiple unrelated perpetrators remains open, complicating investigative and preventative strategies.
Conclusion
The spate of murders in Ekurhuleni has amplified a national outcry over gender‑based violence, highlighting systemic gaps in protection and the urgent need for policy reforms such as femicide legislation. As families mourn and activists demand action, the country faces a pivotal moment to address the deep‑rooted crisis that threatens the safety of its women.