The South African police are investigating the murders of nine women in Ekurhuleni, with the latest victim, Jabulile Ntimba, found on September 17 in Dawn Park. According to Firoz Cachalia, the acting Minister of Police, the investigation has not yet confirmed if the murders are linked. "Not all cases can necessarily be connected," Cachalia said. The police are still analyzing evidence and have not ruled out any possibilities.
The victims, all young women, were identified as Busisiwe Mahlangu, Itumeleng Kekana, Nomfesane Mjobo, Gracious Nkomo, Elizabeth "Tsontso" Mokolo Moselakgomo, Dineo Motapane, and Jabulile Ntimba. One victim's identity has not been released as her family has not been notified. The bodies were found in various locations, including Kempton Park, Olifantsfontein, Kwa-Thema, and Dawn Park, between July 15 and September 17.
One person has been arrested in connection with the murder of Mahlangu on July 15, and three suspects were arrested over the weekend in connection with Ntimba's murder. The police have formed a multidisciplinary team, led by Lt. Gen. Hilda Khosi Senthumule, to investigate the murders. Lt. Gen. Dumisani Khumalo and Lt. Gen. Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi have also been called in to assist with the investigation.
The inter-ministerial committee on gender-based violence and femicide, established by President Cyril Ramaphosa in 2024, is working closely with the police to address the issue. Sindisiwe Chikunga, the Minister in the Presidency for Women, Youth and People with Disabilities, has called on communities to report any missing persons to the police. The committee is also working on a comprehensive emergency strategy to address the crisis.
The emergency strategy, approved last week, includes increased police visibility and deployment in affected areas. The police have deployed officers in Kempton Park, Olifantsfontein, Kwa-Thema, Nigel, and Dawn Park. Cachalia assured that the police are working tirelessly to bring the perpetrators to justice. "We will not accept a situation where murderers roam free," he said.
Chikunga also emphasized the importance of community involvement in addressing the issue. She called on businesses to take responsibility for ensuring their premises are secure and to cooperate with police requests for information. The Department of Social Development has begun providing psychosocial support to the families of the identified victims.
The investigation is ongoing, with the police urging the public to provide any information that may assist in the case. The inter-ministerial committee remains concerned about the high levels of gender-based violence and femicide in South Africa, despite efforts to address the issue. The committee is calling for a collective effort from government, law enforcement agencies, civil society, businesses, and individuals to prevent violence and support victims.
Key points
- The police have not confirmed if the murders of the nine women in Ekurhuleni are linked.
- One person has been arrested in connection with the murder of Busisiwe Mahlangu, and three suspects have been arrested in connection with Jabulile Ntimba's murder.
- The inter-ministerial committee on gender-based violence and femicide has approved a comprehensive emergency strategy to address the crisis.
