South African president vows justice as more women's bodies found near Johannesburg

Live updates

1. 10d ago

   Ramaphosa sets deadlines to address violence after Johannesburg murders

   President Cyril Ramaphosa has ordered urgent action to combat gender-based violence following the discovery of 11 murdered women in and around the Ekurhuleni area of Johannesburg. The president described the violence against women in South Africa as inhuman. He established a 90-day timeline to address the crisis and initiated a 60-day audit focusing on stalled sexual offence, rape, and murder cases. These measures follow a recent spike in killings that has prompted a national response to improve law enforcement priorities.

   Why it matters

   South Africa faces systemic high rates of violence against women. The recent cluster of deaths in Johannesburg has intensified public anger and forced a government review of judicial delays.

   What is confirmed

   • President Cyril Ramaphosa announced a 60-day audit of stalled murder, rape, and sexual offence cases.
   • 11 women were found murdered in and around the Ekurhuleni area in Johannesburg.
   • Ramaphosa set a 90-day timeline to fix the crisis of violence against women.

   What to watch next

   • Results of the 60-day audit of stalled cases
   • Progress reports on the 90-day crisis fix deadline
   Sources used for this update (2)

   1. www.businessday.co.za — ‘What we’ve done is not enough’: Ramaphosa’s new plan to ...
   2. www.forbesafrica.com — ‘Violence Against Women In This Country Inhuman’: South ...
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2. 14d ago

   South African president vows justice as 11 women's bodies found near Johannesburg

   South African police have discovered the body of an 11th woman near Johannesburg, intensifying an ongoing investigation into a string of murders that has sparked national outrage. President Cyril Ramaphosa has instructed law enforcement to prioritize these investigations and unveiled a four-point plan to crack down on gender-based violence. The nation is grappling with high rates of violence against women, with 12 women killed near Johannesburg since July.

   Why it matters

   South Africa has one of the highest femicide rates in the world, with 569 women murdered this year. The recent murders have caused widespread protests and demands for action against violence towards women. The issue has become a national concern, with citizens describing the nation as feeling like a prison.

   What is confirmed

   • South African police have discovered the body of an 11th woman near Johannesburg.
   • President Cyril Ramaphosa has instructed law enforcement to prioritize investigations into the string of murders.
   • South Africa has one of the highest femicide rates in the world.
   • 569 women have been murdered in South Africa this year.
   • The recent murders have caused nationwide protests and demands for action against violence towards women.
   • President Cyril Ramaphosa has unveiled a four-point plan to crack down on gender-based violence.

   What to watch next

   • The outcome of President Cyril Ramaphosa's four-point plan to address gender-based violence
   • The identification of a suspect or suspects in the string of murders
   • The impact of nationwide protests on the government's response to the issue
   Sources used for this update (7)

   1. www.aljazeera.com — South African police discover body of 11th woman near ...
   2. www.chosun.com — South Africa Rocked by 10 Women's Murders, Nationwide Protests
   3. abcnews.com — 11th woman's body in South Africa as authorities investigate recent spate of killings
   4. www.yahoo.com — Twelve women have been killed in one part of South Africa since July. Here's what we know so far
   5. www.thesouthafrican.com — Ramaphosa unveils four-point GBV plan after 11 Ekurhuleni ...
   6. www.bbc.com — Crackdown on South Africa's unsafe streets ordered by president to keep women safe
   7. www.theguardian.com — South African leader urges men to speak up on gender-based ...
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3. 17d ago

   South Africa Police Confirm 10th Body in Johannesburg Killings

   South African police recovered the body of a 10th woman near Johannesburg, intensifying an ongoing investigation into a string of murders that has sparked national outrage. Memorial runs and protests occurred across the country this week as citizens demanded action against high rates of violence against women, describing the nation as feeling like a prison. President Cyril Ramaphosa previously instructed law enforcement to prioritize these investigations. Investigators have identified similarities among several of the deaths but stated they lack conclusive evidence linking them to a single perpetrator.

   Why it matters

   The recent discovery compounds long-standing public safety concerns across South Africa, where citizens face severe risks of gender-based violence. The string of murders near Johannesburg has reignited nationwide anger, putting intense pressure on law enforcement and government officials to deliver swift justice and secure public spaces.

   What is confirmed

   • South African police confirmed the body of a 10th woman was found near Johannesburg.
   • Police stated they identified similarities in some of the killings.
   • Law enforcement confirmed they had not found conclusive evidence that the same person or people were responsible.

   Still unconfirmed

   • Fears have risen regarding a possible serial killer operating in the area.

   What to watch next

   • Conclusive forensic evidence linking the murders
   • Further updates from South African police on the ongoing probe
   Sources used for this update (3)

   1. www.nbcnews.com — 9 women, 9 murders: South Africa confronts gender-based violence crisis
   2. www.cbsnews.com — Fears of possible serial killer rise in South Africa after body of 10th woman found
   3. www.nbcnews.com — Body of 10th woman found in South Africa as probe into killings continues
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4. 24d ago

   South Africans Protest Femicide After Nine Bodies Found

   South Africans gathered for memorial runs and protests this week following the killings of nine women near Johannesburg. The recent spate of murders has reignited nationwide anger and fear over high rates of violence against women, with citizens stating that the country feels like a prison. President Cyril Ramaphosa previously ordered police to prioritize the investigations as public outcry intensifies over ongoing safety concerns in the region.

   Why it matters

   South Africa maintains some of the highest rates of violence against women globally. The discovery of nine bodies in the same area east of Johannesburg in recent weeks has heightened fears that a serial killer may be operating in the region. These events follow a separate violent incident in the area involving the kidnapping and fatal shooting of veteran broadcaster Owen Ndlovu.

   What is confirmed

   • South Africans gathered for memorial runs and protests following the killings of nine women near Johannesburg.
   • South Africa has some of the highest rates of violence against women in the world.

   What to watch next

   • Police findings or official suspect identifications related to the nine deaths
   • Further government policy announcements regarding police prioritization of femicide cases
   Sources used for this update (2)

   1. www.wwno.org — South Africa 'feels like a prison' for women amid spate of femicides
   2. www.nbcnews.com — After deaths of nine women, South Africans gather to run, mourn and demand change
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5. 26d ago

   Ninth woman's body found in Ekurhuleni area east of Johannesburg

   South African police discovered a ninth woman's body in the area east of Johannesburg. This discovery follows eight previous deaths since July and increases concerns that a serial killer is operating in the region. President Cyril Ramaphosa previously ordered police to prioritize these cases amid public outcry over femicide. In a separate incident near Johannesburg, armed men kidnapped veteran broadcaster Owen Ndlovu, whose body was found hours later with gunshot wounds.

   Why it matters

   The discoveries have sparked a broader national outcry regarding the safety of women in South Africa. Authorities are currently determining if a single individual or a group is responsible for the string of female deaths.

   What is confirmed

   • South African police found a ninth woman's body in an area east of Johannesburg.
   • The ninth body may be linked to a series of killings under investigation.

   Still unconfirmed

   • A serial killer is responsible for the deaths of the nine women.
   • Veteran broadcaster Owen Ndlovu was killed by gunshot wounds after being kidnapped by armed men.

   What to watch next

   • Police confirmation on whether the ninth victim is linked to the previous eight
   • Updates on the suspect already in custody
   • Forensic results regarding the cause of death for the ninth woman
   Sources used for this update (4)

   1. www.cbsnews.com — 9th woman's body found in same area of South Africa, adding to fears of serial killer
   2. www.yahoo.com — Abducted South African journalist found dead with gunshot wounds
   3. www.mercurynews.com — Why the discovery of 9 women’s bodies have raised fears of a serial killer in South Africa
   4. www.myjoyonline.com — South Africa pushes back against new US visa curbs
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6. 27d ago

   South African Police Probe 8 Women's Deaths Near Johannesburg

   South African authorities are investigating the deaths of eight women found in the Ekurhuleni area east of Johannesburg since July. President Cyril Ramaphosa has ordered police to prioritize the cases as the discovery of the bodies, including Elizabeth Moselakgomo, fuels public anger over femicide. Some victims were found naked or partially clothed with signs of possible sexual violence. While one suspect is in custody, police have not confirmed if a serial killer is responsible, though they are probing whether a single person or group is behind the killings.

   Why it matters

   The deaths occur amid persistent concerns regarding gender-based violence in South Africa. The concentration of bodies in the Kempton Park area has led to police warnings for women to avoid walking or jogging alone in isolated locations.

   What is confirmed

   • South African police are investigating the deaths of eight women found in Ekurhuleni, east of Johannesburg, since July.
   • President Cyril Ramaphosa ordered police to prioritize the investigations into these deaths.
   • The victims include Elizabeth Moselakgomo.
   • One suspect is currently in custody following the discovery of the first body.

   Still unconfirmed

   • A serial killer is responsible for the deaths.
   • The cases are linked to a single person or group.

   What to watch next

   • Police confirmation on whether the eight deaths are linked to a single perpetrator.
   • Updates on the status of the suspect currently in custody.
   • Official forensic results regarding the signs of sexual violence.
   Sources used for this update (12)

   1. CBS News — Body of 7th woman found in same area of South Africa, sparking fears of serial killer
   2. Reuters — South African police probe killings of seven women, Ramaphosa vows action
   3. BBC — South African president vows justice as more women's bodies found near Johannesburg
   4. The Independent — Serial killer fears grow as seven women found dead near major city
   5. dw.com — South Africa now probing deaths of 8 women near Johannesburg
   6. BBC — Kempton Park: Fear in South Africa after Elizabeth Moselakgomo's body found
   7. Yahoo — South African police issue alert after seventh woman's body found near Johannesburg
   8. WFLA — Seventh woman’s body found near Johannesburg sparking fear of potential serial killer
   9. eNCA — Discovery of eighth body added to investigations into Ekurhuleni murders
   10. The Guardian — ‘We are prey’: discovery of seven women’s bodies fuels anger over femicide in South Africa
   11. www.newsday.com — What to know about the deaths of 8 women in South Africa that have sparked fear and anger
   12. allafrica.com — South African President Vows Justice As More Women's Bodies Found
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