South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has announced a series of urgent measures to tackle gender-based violence and femicide following the discovery of the bodies of at least 11 women in Ekurhuleni, east of Johannesburg, since July.
The deaths have triggered widespread concern and renewed calls for stronger action to protect women across the country. Authorities are investigating the killings, although police have not confirmed that the deaths are connected. Several arrests have already been made in individual cases.
In a televised address on Tuesday, September 29, Ramaphosa acknowledged that government efforts had not been sufficient to prevent violence against women and said more urgent action was required.
Among the measures announced is a national case-recovery operation focusing on unresolved murders, attempted murders, rape and other serious sexual offences involving women and children. Police and justice authorities have been directed to conduct an audit within 60 days and develop recovery plans for priority cases within 90 days.
The president also ordered authorities to produce a funded plan to reduce the country’s forensic backlog. The plan is expected to identify shortages in personnel and equipment and establish clear deadlines for processing priority forensic evidence in gender-based violence and femicide cases.
Another major measure is a women’s safety audit across municipalities. Local authorities are expected to identify areas that pose particular risks to women, including poorly lit streets, abandoned buildings and unsafe public spaces.
The government says the audits will be followed by action plans to address identified safety problems.
The announcement came after the discovery of another woman’s body in Springs on Sunday, bringing the number of women’s bodies found in Ekurhuleni since July to 11. Police have increased visible patrols in the area, while a specialised multidisciplinary team involving detectives, forensic specialists, crime intelligence and digital investigators has been assigned to the investigation.
Ramaphosa also called for greater involvement from men in addressing violence against women. He said the responsibility for ending gender-based violence should not be placed on women alone and urged men to challenge abusive behaviour among friends, colleagues and relatives.
South Africa has faced persistent concerns over gender-based violence and femicide. The country’s official crime statistics recorded 5,427 homicides between April and July, while UN Women has identified South Africa as having one of the world’s highest femicide rates.
The president said the government would continue strengthening services for survivors, including forensic processing, sexual offences courts, shelters and victim-support facilities.
The latest measures are intended to improve investigations, make public spaces safer and strengthen the broader national response to gender-based violence.
