Hundreds of runners gathered in Kempton Park, near Johannesburg, on Saturday to protest the recent murders of nine women in the district. The protest was sparked by the death of 38-year-old Elizabeth "Tsontso" Moselakgomo, who was found dead after disappearing while jogging on September 9. Moselakgomo's body was discovered three days later, and she leaves behind an eight-year-old daughter.
The Kempton Park area has seen a surge in women's murders, with nine victims found between July 15 and mid-September. This has raised fears that a serial killer or group of killers may be operating in the area. The discovery of the women's bodies, some partially naked and battered, has provoked growing fear and anger across the country.
South Africa suffers from a high murder rate, with more than 60 murders per day on average, one of the highest globally. The country's government has described the levels of gender-based violence as a national disaster. According to the United Nations, one in three women in South Africa experiences physical or sexual violence during her lifetime.
The runners, who covered 13 kilometers as part of their protest, expressed their concerns about safety. "We shouldn't be looking at our back. We should be protected at all times. We want to reclaim our streets," said Hlompho Matji, a 47-year-old runner and accounting firm data analyst.
The protest was not limited to Kempton Park, as ordinary people gathered in Cape Town to honor the memory of the victims and call for action to end the killings. In Cape Town, more than a thousand students held a vigil at the university campus on Friday evening, with placards reading "I want to live, not survive."
Investigators have established that some of the women were not killed where their bodies were discovered, but have refused to commit to the theory of a serial killer or group of killers. The police have urged the public not to circulate unverified images of people allegedly linked to the killings.
Moselakgomo will be buried on Sunday in the small town of Phake, in northeastern Mpumalanga province. The community continues to demand action from the government to address the issue of gender-based violence. "It has to stop because they are taking away our freedom, they are taking away our confidence now," said Busisiwe Pakati, a 53-year-old software engineer.
Key points
- The protest in Kempton Park was attended by hundreds of runners who covered 13 kilometers to raise awareness about the recent murders of nine women in the district.
- The murders have raised fears that a serial killer or group of killers may be operating in the area, with some of the women's bodies found partially naked and battered.
- The community is demanding action from the government to address the issue of gender-based violence, which has been described as a national disaster.
