Ramaphosa Announces New Measures After Ekurhuleni Women’s Killings

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has announced a series of measures to address gender-based violence after at least 11 women were killed in Ekurhuleni, east of Johannesburg, since mid-July.

The announcement came as authorities continued investigating whether the deaths were connected and whether a serial killer or multiple perpetrators could be responsible. Four people were in police custody in connection with the murders, although details about their identities and any charges were not provided.

Speaking in a national address on Tuesday, Ramaphosa said police had not found evidence proving that the killings were carried out by a single perpetrator. A multidisciplinary emergency response at national level was in place to investigate the deaths.

“The nation is angry. The women of South Africa are angry. Their anger is justified. I share that anger,” Ramaphosa said.

Government response

The measures announced by the president include a crackdown on alcohol abuse and a nationwide audit of women’s safety. The audit is to be completed within 60 days.

Local authorities are also expected to identify dangerous and high-risk areas, including locations affected by broken streetlights, abandoned buildings and poorly secured parks.

Police and the National Prosecuting Authority have been given 90 days to review unresolved cases involving murder, attempted murder, rape and other forms of gender-based violence.

Ramaphosa acknowledged that previous government action had fallen short. Gender-based violence had been declared a national disaster the previous year, but he said the government had failed women despite that designation.

“We must confront an uncomfortable truth. What we have done has not been enough. We need to do much more,” he said.

Investigation remains unresolved

Ekurhuleni remained on high alert as investigators examined the circumstances surrounding the deaths. The latest body was found on Sunday in open veld, while a semi-naked woman’s body was discovered the previous day near a cemetery in the same municipality.

Many of the victims were in their 20s and 30s. Some were found without clothes and showed signs of sexual assault, according to the information available about the cases.

The discovery of the bodies triggered a national outcry and renewed concern about the scale of violence against women in South Africa. It remains unclear whether the deaths were committed by one person or by several perpetrators.

Wider violence concerns

South Africa recorded 5,427 homicides between April and July, according to official crime statistics cited in the report. UN Women has said the country’s femicide rate is among the highest in the world.

The government’s planned safety audit and case review are intended to identify risks and address unresolved investigations, while authorities continue working to establish what happened in Ekurhuleni.