The discovery of nine women's bodies in Ekurhuleni, South Africa, has sent shockwaves through the community, with many women changing their daily routines and expressing fear for their safety. The bodies were found over a period of 10 weeks, and police have confirmed that a specialised multidisciplinary task team is investigating the cases and possible links between them. Residents, such as Babalwa Mbexe, who lives near the R21 where several bodies were found, say they are living in constant fear.
The impact of the murders on the community is far-reaching, with many women now relying on male companions to walk them through neighbourhoods they no longer consider safe. In Rhodesfield, Kempton Park, where one of the victims, 38-year-old Elizabeth "Tsontso" Moselakgomo, was found, fear has gripped the community. Many women have changed their daily routines, and taxi drivers have reported a significant decline in passengers, particularly among women who previously travelled alone.
According to the Human Sciences Research Council's first national gender-based violence study, 35.5% of women aged 18 and older have experienced physical and/or sexual violence during their lifetime. The study's findings highlight the broader issue of violence against women in South Africa. Gauteng premier Panyaza Lesufi has unveiled an ambitious crime-fighting plan, including thousands of crime-prevention wardens, CCTV cameras, drones, and helicopters. However, parts of the programme have faced implementation and legal questions.
The public protector found that the establishment, appointment, and deployment of Gauteng's crime prevention wardens were irregular and lacked a legal framework. The provincial government claims the irregularity has been addressed. Lesufi did not respond to queries about the province's crime-fighting plan as the body count rose. For residents, the question is how safe they are and why it took so many murders before warnings were issued.
Experts, including Lt-Col Elmarie Myburgh, who headed the SAPS's investigative psychology section, believe the murders should be investigated as though perpetrated by a serial killer. Myburgh says that examining the deaths together could provide priority treatment and help detectives link cases. She criticised the amount of detail being made public about the murders and warned that the number of bodies could eventually prove higher if older unsolved cases were examined.
Residents, such as Naledi Sithole, say the fear has changed even the simplest daily errands. "My husband comes back from work at around 2 pm, so if I want to go out and do my hair, I wait until he is back home so that he can accompany me," she said. Eva Morgan, a passionate runner, has stopped running with her female-only running club due to safety concerns. The community is calling for increased police visibility and safety measures.
The police investigation is ongoing, with a focus on establishing what happened and finding the perpetrator or perpetrators. The community remains on edge, with many women demanding answers and action from authorities. Key to addressing the issue is understanding the motives behind the murders and ensuring that women feel safe in their communities.
Key points
- The discovery of nine women's bodies in Ekurhuleni has sparked widespread fear and calls for increased safety measures.
- Experts believe the murders should be investigated as though perpetrated by a serial killer.
- The community is demanding increased police visibility and safety measures to address the issue of violence against women.
