South Africa’s Violence Against Women Rises as More Victims Discovered
Johannesburg’s recent string of female fatalities near the city’s international airport has sharpened focus on the nation’s troubling femicide trend. Since mid‑July, seven women’s bodies have been recovered, with five of those discoveries occurring within a single week.
Deputy President Paul Mashatile condemned the killings, extending heartfelt sympathy to the victims’ relatives and urging a collective stand against gender‑based aggression. He emphasized that communities must reject any space for such violence and that men should lead the charge in protecting women.
Among the deceased is 38‑year‑old Elizabeth “Tsonso” Moselakgomo, who left home for a morning run on September 9 and never returned. Her eight‑year‑old child notified relatives, prompting a search that led to her body’s recovery on Saturday and subsequent identification by family members on Monday.
Police data show that four women were found in the Kempton Park region after July 15, each bearing injuries and discovered in minimal attire. Additional bodies were located in the Olifantsfontein area and a remote site 25 miles southeast of Kempton Park, one of which was partially decomposed and unclothed.
These events deepen concerns already raised by international observers. South Africa’s homicide figures remain among the highest globally, with more than 27,600 murders recorded in the year ending 31 March 2024, of which 5,578 were women.
Human‑rights advocates have criticized police advisories that instruct women to avoid walking alone, steer clear of deserted zones, and travel in groups, arguing that such guidance unfairly places the onus of safety on potential victims.
Women for Change, a local rights organization, highlighted the delayed activation of community search efforts, questioning why broad searches only commence after a woman’s disappearance becomes publicly known.
A dedicated task force now oversees the investigations. Early hypotheses about a serial perpetrator have not been substantiated; police spokesperson Athlenda Mathe confirmed the lack of concrete evidence linking the cases. While a suspect was detained in connection with the July incident, other cases remain without identified perpetrators.
President Cyril Ramaphosa ordered that the investigations receive top priority, reinforcing the government’s pledge made after widespread 2025 protests to treat gender‑based violence as a national emergency. Yet activists argue that the promised measures have yet to translate into effective protection on the ground.
Moselakgomo’s tragic death has also resonated within Johannesburg’s running circles, prompting memorial runs across several provinces to celebrate her dedication to sport and her beloved daughter.