11 Women Found Dead in South Africa, Renewing Anger Over Gender-Based Violence
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has described violence against women as a “national shame” after the discovery of another woman’s body intensified public anger over the country’s persistent gender-based violence.
Eleven women’s bodies have been found in Ekurhuleni, a municipality east of Johannesburg, since July, prompting renewed fear and outrage after years of government promises to tackle violence against women.
Most of the victims were in their 20s or 30s. Some were found stripped and showing signs of sexual violence, according to authorities.
“There are women lying tonight in government mortuaries waiting to be identified, waiting for someone to claim them, waiting to be taken home and laid to rest,” Ramaphosa said in a televised address late on Tuesday.
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“How can our hearts not be broken? How can we not be angry?”
He described violence against women as a source of “profound pain and national shame” and acknowledged growing anger among South African women.
Investigation Into the Killings
Ramaphosa said police had so far found no evidence that a serial killer was responsible for the 11 deaths. He stressed, however, that investigators were continuing to examine all possibilities.
Authorities have made arrests in connection with three of the killings, while investigations into the remaining deaths are continuing.
The president said none of the cases would be allowed to go cold, amid growing concerns over whether South Africa’s law enforcement agencies can adequately investigate violent crimes against women.
The latest deaths have revived criticism of the government’s efforts to tackle gender-based violence, despite repeated national campaigns and commitments aimed at reducing the problem.
South Africa’s Wider Crime Crisis
The killings are unfolding against a broader backdrop of severe violent crime in South Africa.
The country has one of the highest murder rates per capita in the world, while corruption, limited resources and weaknesses within the policing system have made it difficult to investigate and prosecute cases effectively.
Only about one in 10 murders is solved, highlighting the scale of the challenge facing investigators.
For communities in Ekurhuleni, the discovery of 11 women’s bodies has therefore become more than a series of individual criminal investigations. It has renewed questions about public safety, accountability and whether years of government commitments are translating into effective protection for women.
Ramaphosa’s remarks reflect the political pressure surrounding the issue as authorities face renewed demands to identify the victims, establish who was responsible for their deaths and prevent further violence.
With information from Reuters.