Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi has announced that the province has implemented several measures to tackle the recent spate of gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF). Since July, at least 12 women have been murdered in Ekurhuleni and other parts of the province, sparking a public outcry about justice and protection for women. Lesufi said the province has acted quickly in response to the murders, holding weekly progress meetings following President Cyril Ramaphosa's directive to resolve cases against women.
The measures implemented to address GBVF include deploying 1,022 GBV response teams across 122 high-risk areas, adding 56 social workers, strengthening seven specialised sexual offences courts, and 144 victim-friendly facilities. The province's 19 medical legal clinics will also be fully involved to safeguard forensic evidence. Coordinated weekly by-law enforcement operations began in all municipalities from 1 October. Lesufi said there are 18 shelters providing 363 beds, seven Thuthuzela Care Centres, and expanded psychosocial support services to assist survivors of GBVF.
All centres providing support services to GBVF survivors are located near hospitals, including Old Natalspruit Hospital, Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital, Mamelodi Hospital, and Vosloorus Magistrates' Court. Lesufi emphasized that protecting women and children is an absolute priority that demands immediate action, as delayed justice is no justice at all. The Premier's briefing comes amid heightened concern following the recent discoveries of women's dead bodies in Ekurhuleni.
Gauteng's acting police commissioner, Major-General Fred Kekana, provided an update on the Ekurhuleni murders, stating that some of the cases have been resolved. Out of 11 incidences that affected women in Kempton Park or Ekurhuleni, five cases have resulted in suspects being taken into custody. However, two cases in Olifantsfontein, and one each in Kwa-Thema, Moroka, and Springs are still under investigation.
The investigation into the murder of Elizabeth "Tsontso" Moselakgomo, a runner whose body was discovered in the Kempton Park area on 12 September, is ongoing. Three suspects have been arrested, but the police are working to ensure that everyone involved in the case is brought to justice. Moselakgomo was reported missing by her eight-year-old daughter after she failed to return from an afternoon run.
Lesufi and Kekana also addressed concerns about ensuring safety for women ahead of the local elections on 4 November. They expressed confidence that residents will be protected at the different vote stations in Gauteng municipalities. All voting stations, especially high-risk ones, will have special planning and resources in place to ensure a safe and secure voting process.
The province is improving security in high-risk areas by cutting grass, installing CCTV cameras, and improving lighting. Lesufi believes that the measures taken thus far have yielded the necessary results and will be sustained. However, forensic backlogs, outstanding case recovery information, and the need to accelerate municipal safety interventions remain a challenge.
Key points
- The Gauteng province has deployed 1,022 GBV response teams across 122 high-risk areas to address GBVF.
- Five suspects have been taken into custody for the murders of women in Ekurhuleni and Kempton Park.
- The province is improving security in high-risk areas ahead of the local elections on 4 November.
