Grim discoveries of murdered women spark fear in South Africa
Dineo Motapane is one of nine recent victims whose deaths have left a nation traumatised over the level of violence against women.
The grim discovery of murdered women in South Africa's Ekurhuleni region has sparked fear and outcry across the nation. Dineo Motapane, a 38-year-old mother-of-two, was last seen alive last Sunday and her body, partially burned and battered, was found in a residential area two days later. The body of her niece, Dineo, is one of three discovered in Ekurhuleni this week, bringing the total to nine such cases since July.
Themba Kekana, whose sister Itumeleng was among the first to disappear, expressed his devastation at his sister's death, noting that no family should have to endure such pain. Police have made only one arrest in connection with the murders, nearly a year after gender-based violence was declared a national disaster. Activists and rights groups argue that recognizing femicide as a separate crime could help focus attention on the scale of the issue.
President Cyril Ramaphosa has pledged to thoroughly investigate the crimes in Ekurhuleni, emphasizing that the nation must stand up for the rights, safety, and dignity of women and girls.
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