569 women killed in three months as Ekurhuleni’s eight-woman mystery deepens
The killing of eight women in Ekurhuleni has renewed concerns over South Africa's persistent gender-based violence crisis, with 569 women killed and 1,052 surviving attempted murder between April and June 2026, according to the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC).
Between April and June 2026, 569 women were killed and 1,052 survived attempted murder in South Africa, according to the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC). The deaths of eight women were found in Ekurhuleni, Gauteng over the past two months, with police intensifying their investigations to determine if the deaths are connected.
The SAHRC condemned the deaths and expressed condolences to the families of the victims, stating that South Africa is not a safe place for women. The commission highlighted that rape is often committed by those closest to the victim, not just strangers. Despite President Cyril Ramaphosa declaring gender-based violence and femicide as a national disaster in 2025, the SAHRC emphasized that violence against women remains a societal issue that deprives women of their basic human rights.
The SAHRC, along with other commissions, is conducting a joint national inquiry to assess the criminal justice system's response to gender-based violence and femicide. The commission has welcomed the appointment of the National Council on Gender-Based Violence and Femicide and urged the state to ensure it is properly equipped to address the crisis.
The SAHRC also called on law enforcement agencies to leave no stone unturned in bringing those responsible for violent crimes to justice.
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