A ninth woman has been found dead in the Ekurhuleni municipality in South Africa, intensifying alarm over a surge in femicide and prompting renewed questioning of the government’s response to the crisis. The latest victim was discovered on Thursday morning in Dawn Park, a residential neighborhood in Boksburg, east of Johannesburg. Authorities believe the woman, who is estimated to be in her thirties, was found half-naked and wrapped in a sheet.
Police have not confirmed whether the nine deaths are linked to a single perpetrator or a group. “We are still investigating whether we are dealing with one perpetrator or a group of men that are behind the murders of these women,” South African Police Service spokesperson Athlenda Mathe told Reuters on September 15. Mathe added that while investigators are considering the possibility of copycat crimes, no connections between the cases have been established so far. “This is not an investigation that you can rush, because it is quite complex,” she said.
Among the victims was Elizabeth Moselakgomo, a 38-year-old mother and runner who vanished after leaving her home around 5:30 pm on September 9 for her daily jog. Her body was found three days later on September 12. Moselakgomo’s eight-year-old daughter alerted authorities when her mother failed to return.
Princess Eurika Mogane, a commissioner at South Africa’s Commission for Gender Equality, described the killings as part of a nationwide emergency. “This is a war. It feels like individuals are being hunted,” Mogane told Al Jazeera. “When someone is the hunter, the best thing that you can do is to ensure that the prey are protected.”
The National Shelter Movement of South Africa (NSMSA) reported that its helpline and shelters are receiving an increasing number of women with severe abuse histories, including stalking, strangulation, and repeated violations of protection orders. In a statement, the organization emphasized that these are not isolated incidents but indicators of a broader crisis where violence against women has become deeply normalized.
Criticism has mounted against police advice urging women to avoid walking or running alone and to steer clear of isolated areas. Mogane argued that such messaging places the burden of prevention on victims rather than perpetrators. “A lot of the women in South Africa right now are saying, ‘You are basically telling us to adjust our lives to perpetrators,'” she said. The NSMSA echoed this sentiment, stating that safety messaging should not imply that violence can be prevented simply by women changing their behavior, asserting that the responsibility for protection lies with society and the state.
Nokukhanya Khanyile-Lenake, a specialist pediatrician and mental health advocate, highlighted the tragic reality that women take extensive precautions to stay safe, yet it often remains insufficient. She noted that Moselakgomo’s daughter had been taught to recognize danger signs and acted correctly, but “that still wasn’t enough.” Khanyile-Lenake observed that women have reached a point where they are teaching their children survival strategies, yet the threat persists.
The recent killings come less than a year after South Africa classified gender-based violence and femicide as a national disaster in November 2025. Parliament reports that the country’s femicide rate is five times the global average. President Cyril Ramaphosa has pledged that perpetrators will face justice, and authorities state that police patrols have been increased in high-risk areas. However, Mogane questioned the tangible impact of the disaster classification, asking, “What progress has there been?” and calling for more forensic facilities and shelters.
The NSMSA noted that shelters continue to struggle with inadequate funding, rising demand, and capacity limits, while survivors report delays in police responses and difficulties enforcing protection orders. The organization highlighted that leaving an abusive partner is often the most dangerous time for a woman, who may need immediate access to police protection, accommodation, healthcare, and financial support. “For many women, the fundamental question remains unchanged: ‘If I leave today, can I survive financially, find safe accommodation, and remain protected from my abuser?'” the NSMSA said. Al Jazeera requested a response from the South African government regarding its measures since the national disaster declaration but had not received one by the time of publication.
Leave a Reply