EAST RAND KILLING FIELDS: The war on women — Ekurhuleni murders highlight SA’s femicide crisis
The Ekurhuleni killings have intensified fears over South Africa’s femicide crisis, exposing women’s daily vulnerability and persistent failures in policing, prevention and accountability.
The recent spate of murders of women in Ekurhuleni has sparked fears about South Africa's widespread femicide crisis. Ekurhuleni police have identified ten women murdered since July 2026, with nine additional bodies recently discovered. Victims include Olorato Mongale, who was killed on her way to a date, Uyinene Mrwetyana, who was murdered while collecting a parcel, Kirsten Kluyts during a run, Anene Booysen after visiting a bar, and the latest victim, Elizabeth "Tsontso" Moselakgomo, who was reported missing and found in Rhodesfield.
Police have appointed a task team to investigate the murders, suspecting similarities between the cases, though they have cautioned against drawing conclusions about a serial killer. The country's overall femicide rate reached 3,422 in the 2023/24 fiscal year. President Cyril Ramaphosa condemned the killings, directing authorities to prioritize the cases and bring the perpetrators to justice.
However, activists worry that the focus on women's safety may shift the responsibility for preventing violence onto women themselves.
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