Ramaphosa announces 90-day GBV emergency plan after Ekurhuleni killings
President Cyril Ramaphosa used a Tuesday-evening national address to announce a 90-day emergency plan against gender-based violence and femicide, including a national review of unresolved cases and municipal safety audits, after 11 women were found dead in and around Ekurhuleni since July.
President Cyril Ramaphosa has announced emergency measures against gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF) in a national address on Tuesday evening, 29 September 2026, following the killings of women in and around Ekurhuleni. The Presidency had confirmed ahead of the 7pm address that he would outline the government’s GBVF response and update the nation on the investigations.
The address follows the discovery of the bodies of 11 women in the Ekurhuleni area since July, which IOL reports prompted renewed calls for government action.
Central to the plan is a national case recovery operation targeting unresolved murders, attempted murders and rapes involving women and children. Ramaphosa directed the Minister of Police, the Minister of Justice and Correctional Services, the National Prosecuting Authority and police leadership to undertake the review. “Within 60 days this audit must identify unresolved cases,” he said. “Within 90 days recovery plans must be in place.”
He also ordered a plan to cut forensic backlogs in GBVF cases and directed every municipality to complete a women’s safety audit within 60 days, covering hazards such as broken street lights and poorly secured parks, with urgent hazards to be fixed within 90 days. “These cases are not allowed to go cold,” he said.
Acknowledging past failures, Ramaphosa said: “What we have done is not enough. We need to do much more,” describing violence against women as “a source of profound pain and national shame,” according to Cape Town Etc.
Sources
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