Ekurhuleni killings: What we know after bodies of 12 women found in South Africa

Live updates

1. 1h ago

   South African Police Investigate Ekurhuleni Killings

   South African police have discovered the bodies of 12 women in the Ekurhuleni region east of Johannesburg since July, sparking widespread outrage over the country's femicide crisis. President Cyril Ramaphosa condemned the killings as a stain on the national conscience and announced new safety measures following a public outcry over unsafe streets and policing failures. While investigators examine the sequence of murders, police report that no formal link has been established between the individual cases yet, even as authorities crack down on street safety to protect women.

   Why it matters

   The string of murders in Ekurhuleni highlights deep-seated vulnerabilities for women in South Africa and persistent failures in prevention, policing, and accountability. Public alarm has grown intensely over the safety of local streets, prompting direct intervention from the executive branch. The string of deaths has reignited national debates regarding systemic violence against women.

   What is confirmed

   • The bodies of 12 women have been found dead in the Ekurhuleni region near Johannesburg since July.
   • South African President Cyril Ramaphosa called the murders a stain on the national conscience.
   • Police state that no link has been established between the cases.

   Still unconfirmed

   • A 23-year-old woman was shot dead in Tembisa while reportedly on her way to work as part of the ongoing spate of violence.

   What to watch next

   • Further updates from South African police regarding forensic links between the 12 murder cases
   • Implementation and details of new security measures announced by President Cyril Ramaphosa
   Sources used for this update (13)

   1. NBC News — Body of 10th woman found in South Africa as probe into killings continues
   2. africanews.com — South Africa: 11th woman found dead as killings raise alarm
   3. www.dailymaverick.co.za — The war on women — Ekurhuleni murders highlight SA’s femicide crisis
   4. Al Jazeera — South African police discover body of 11th woman near Johannesburg
   5. apnews.com — 11th woman’s body in South Africa as authorities investigate recent spate of killings
   6. BBC — Ekurhuleni killings: What we know after bodies of 12 women found in South Africa
   7. www.thesouthafrican.com — Ekurhuleni murders: What we know about all 10 women
   8. www.bbc.com — Crackdown on South Africa's unsafe streets ordered by president to keep women safe
   9. www.bastillepost.com — South Africa announces measures to tackle violence against women after series of killings
   10. www.citizen.co.za — Could the death penalty make South Africa safer?
   11. www.bbc.co.uk — Ekurhuleni killings: What we know after bodies of 12 women ...
   12. www.adomonline.com — Twelve women killed in one part of South Africa since July ...
   confidence 90%