South Africans Run and Mourn After Nine Women’s Deaths

The Investigation and Discovery of Victims in Ekurhuleni

According to news reports, most of the victims were in their 20s and 30s. Investigators noted that some of the bodies were found stripped of their clothes and displayed signs of sexual assault. Police presence in the area contributed to finding the nine victims, according to Merlize Jogiat of Women for Change, who spoke with Reuters. Law enforcement agencies have not yet confirmed a definitive link between the deaths, though probes remain active across the region.

Public Outcry and Memorial Events Across South Africa

Communities responded with grief and demonstrations throughout the week. On Saturday morning, a memorial run in Johannesburg honoured Elizabeth Moselakgomo, one of the victims who disappeared after going for a run and was later found dead, as reported by Reuters. Participants dressed in black, lit candles, and carried a banner reading “Enough. Stop Femicide.” Lerato Lentsela, an attendee at the Johannesburg memorial run, told reporters, “We are here because we’ve lost a runner. But we are not safe anywhere.” Lentsela added that women face constant threats during routine daily activities, stating, “We are not safe running, we are not safe at a post office, we are not safe on a date, we are not safe in our own homes, we are not safe in an Uber.” Additional vigils and events took place at the University of Cape Town and through the organization Women for Change.

Systemic Challenges in South African Policing

The latest spate of killings has intensified scrutiny of South Africa’s security apparatus, where gender-based violence was declared a national disaster in 2025, according to Reuters. Activists and advocacy groups emphasize that official promises have yielded little tangible protection. President Cyril Ramaphosa stated on Thursday that the country could not allow itself to grow accustomed to such violence and pledged that no stone would be left unturned in the investigations. However, advocacy organizations point out severe structural hurdles. According to Reuters, policing in South Africa is weakened by corruption and a lack of resources, resulting in an estimated murder solution rate of only about one in 10.

Criticism of Official Safety Advice

Women’s rights organizations have pushed back against institutional safety guidelines that shift the burden of protection onto citizens. Police have frequently urged women to take extra precautions when exercising or walking alone. In response, Women for Change released a social media statement quoted by Reuters: “Stop placing the responsibility of our safety back onto us. Women should not have to organise their entire lives around surviving violence and not being next.” The Uyinene Mrwetyana Foundation echoed this sentiment in a formal statement, emphasizing that women must be able to exist without constant fear.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where were the bodies of the nine women found?

According to police reports cited by Reuters, the bodies were found in Ekurhuleni, located east of Johannesburg, over a two-month period.

What actions have local communities taken in response?

South Africans have organized memorial runs, candlelight vigils, and protests in cities including Johannesburg and Cape Town to demand stronger action against femicide.

What has the South African government said about the killings?

President Cyril Ramaphosa stated that the country cannot grow accustomed to such violence and promised thorough investigations, while activists continue to call for sweeping reforms to address police corruption and resource shortages.