A recent surge in femicide cases in Ekurhuleni has sparked concern, with the Democratic Alliance (DA) calling for urgent action to address the issue. According to Khathutshelo Rasilingwane, the DA's mayoral candidate in Ekurhuleni, the area cannot normalize femicide, and decisive action is needed to make it safe for everyone. This follows the discovery of a woman's half-naked body near an informal settlement in Tembisa on Saturday morning.
The police were alerted to the scene by community members, and an investigation is underway. According to Lt. Gen. Tommy Mthombeni, Gauteng's police commissioner, the investigation is in its early stages, and not much information can be shared with the media yet. The victim has not been identified, and the circumstances surrounding the murder are still being investigated. The police do say that the woman sustained visible injuries, and a post-mortem examination will be conducted to determine the cause of death.
The police are exploring the possibility that the woman was attacked with stones, and the scene has been cleared. However, it is unclear if this murder is linked to a string of similar cases in the area. Mthombeni says the police are following a two-pronged approach, focusing on investigating the serial murders and deploying additional resources. The DA will reportedly debate the ongoing crisis of violent crime in Ekurhuleni in parliament on September 29.
The party will also insist that senior police and Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police (EMPD) leaders appear before the Gauteng Provincial Legislature to account for policing failures and their plans to address the crisis. Rasilingwane says Premier Panyaza Lesufi's comments that those responsible for the murders have "declared war on the state" must be backed up with tangible action on the ground. The DA is demanding increased visible policing in affected communities, better cooperation between the police and EMPD, and adequate resources for law enforcement.
Rasilingwane emphasizes that women should not have to change their behavior out of fear of becoming the next victim. "Every new body found in this area exacerbates that fear in the community," she says. The DA has expressed its deepest condolences to the family and loved ones of the latest victim. Rasilingwane says that yet another family must endure the unbearable pain of losing a loved one in circumstances that no family should ever have to experience.
The police have not yet confirmed whether the murders are linked, according to Brig. Athlenda Mathe, national police spokesperson. Maroela Media previously reported that a love triangle is being investigated as a possible motive for the murder of Jabulile Ntimba, whose half-naked body was found in the Villa Liza area near Dawn Park in Boksburg last week. Ntimba is the ninth woman to be murdered in Ekurhuleni since July.
The DA's Rasilingwane says President Cyril Ramaphosa can no longer remain silent and must take decisive steps to address the crisis. The party is calling for an urgent and comprehensive response to the femicide cases, including increased security measures and support for affected communities.
Key points
- The DA is demanding increased visible policing in affected communities.
- The party wants better cooperation between the police and EMPD.
- The DA insists that senior police and EMPD leaders must account for policing failures.
