The ongoing crisis of violence against women in South Africa has reached alarming levels, with the recent discovery of a ninth victim within a two-month timeframe. This troubling trend not only highlights the urgent need for effective intervention but also calls into question the South African government’s commitment to tackling gender-based violence, a matter that has sparked considerable public outcry and demands for action.
In South Africa’s Ekurhuleni municipality, a ninth woman has been found dead over the past two months, intensifying fears over the rampant violence against women in the country. The most recent victim, believed to be in her thirties, was discovered in Dawn Park, a residential area of Boksburg, east of Johannesburg, where she was found half-naked and wrapped in a sheet. The South African Police Service (SAPS) has launched an investigation, although it remains unclear whether all nine cases are interconnected.
Athlenda Mathe, a spokesperson for the SAPS, stated that authorities are still determining whether a single perpetrator or a group of individuals is responsible for these murders. The police are also examining the possibility of copycat crimes, emphasizing the complexity of the investigation, which may involve multiple offenders. “This is not an investigation that you can rush, because it is quite complex,” Mathe remarked, reinforcing the importance of thorough and diligent work by detectives.
Princess Eurika Mogane, a commissioner at the South African Commission for Gender Equality, articulated the growing alarm about the murders, describing the situation as a “war,” where women feel like they are being hunted. Mogane called for urgent protective measures for women, announcing that the realities of these killings illustrate a much larger issue of violence against women that is deeply ingrained in society.
The National Shelter Movement of South Africa (NSMSA) has reported an alarming increase in women seeking help due to severe abuse. The organization highlighted a disturbing trend: the normalization of violence against women in various communities, suggesting that these fatalities are not isolated incidents but symptoms of a broader societal crisis.
In response to the ongoing violence, police have issued advisories urging women to refrain from walking or running alone and to avoid isolated areas. Such guidance has faced criticism. Far from empowering women, critics argue these directives perpetuate a cycle of victim-blaming. Mogane noted, “A lot of the women in South Africa right now are saying, ‘You are basically telling us to adjust our lives to perpetrators.’”
Women are increasingly forced to make compromises in their daily lives to prioritize safety, which includes altering running routes, avoiding travel at certain times, and sharing their locations with family members. NSMSA emphasized that the responsibility for preventing violence lies not with potential victims, but with society at large and the authorities that govern it.
Among the recent victims was Elizabeth Moselakgomo, a 38-year-old mother who went missing during her routine run on September 9. Her eight-year-old daughter raised the alarm after her mother failed to return, leading to Moselakgomo’s body being discovered three days later. The tragedy underscores the lengths women must go to for their safety, with even the most cautious preparations often proving insufficient.
Professional experts, including pediatrician and mental health advocate Nokukhanya Khanyile-Lenake, highlighted the heightened vigilance many women adopt to protect themselves against gender-based violence. She emphasized the heartbreaking reality that even when women take precautions—like teaching children about danger—tragic outcomes can still occur.
The escalating violence comes less than a year after South Africa declared gender-based violence and femicide a national disaster. Reports indicate that the country’s femicide rate is five times the global average. While President Cyril Ramaphosa has promised justice for offenders and an increase in police presence in high-risk areas, critics argue that substantive changes are needed to provide protection and support for survivors.
Mogane has questioned the real impact of the national disaster classification, asking what tangible progress has been made since the declaration. Shortcomings include insufficient forensic resources, inadequate shelters, and delays in police response efforts. The NSMSA points out that many women face the daunting question of whether they can survive—both financially and physically—if they leave abusive relationships.
Despite the gravity of these issues, the South African government has not provided a substantial response to inquiries about measures taken since declaring gender-based violence a national disaster. The community continues to seek clarity and action as the crisis of violence against women persists.
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