Ramaphosa unveils four-point plan to tackle gender-based violence after 11 Ekurhuleni killings
South Africa's president has announced urgent measures — including a national review of unresolved murder and rape cases and municipal safety audits — after the bodies of 11 women were found in Ekurhuleni since July.
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has unveiled a four-point plan to combat gender-based violence and femicide, after the bodies of 11 women were found in the Ekurhuleni area east of Johannesburg since July.
Addressing the nation in a televised address on Tuesday evening, Ramaphosa announced urgent measures including a national case-recovery operation targeting unresolved murders, attempted murders, rapes and other gender-based violence cases involving women and children.
Within 60 days, an audit must identify unresolved cases — their number and age, those awaiting forensic evidence, cases where suspects have been identified but not arrested, and those where investigative or prosecutorial action has been unreasonably delayed. Within 90 days, recovery plans must be drawn up for priority cases. He also directed the police minister and the national police commissioner to develop a plan to clear forensic backlogs, and ordered every municipality to carry out safety audits identifying dangerous and high-risk areas.
Ramaphosa acknowledged the government’s response had fallen short: “What we have done has not been enough. We need to do much more,” he said. “This cannot be accepted as a normal part of life in South Africa.”
The investigations into the Ekurhuleni killings have been elevated to national level under the Deputy National Commissioner for Detective Services. Four suspects have been arrested, and police have not confirmed whether the killings are linked — sparking fears of a serial killer.
The announcement follows official crime statistics showing 5,427 homicides recorded between April and July; South Africa’s femicide rate is among the highest in the world, according to UN Women.
Sources
- South Africa announces measures to tackle violence against women after series of killings — Associated Press
- Ramaphosa announces new measures to tackle GBVF after Kempton Park killings — IOL
- Ramaphosa promises urgent action after Ekurhuleni killings, unveils four measures to tackle GBVF — Inside Politics
- Ramaphosa’s four-point plan to tackle GBV as he tells men: ‘Stop being silent’ — Smile 90.4FM
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