Ekurhuleni sees ninth femicide in two months, prompting urgent investigations

South Africa’s Ekurhuleni municipality has seen its ninth woman killed in just two months. The latest victim, a woman in her thirties, was discovered on Thursday morning in Dawn Park, a residential area of Boksburg east of Johannesburg. She was half‑naked, wrapped in a sheet, and her body was found near a local park. Police are treating the case as part of an ongoing investigation that has not yet linked all nine deaths to a single perpetrator.

The femicide wave has drawn attention to a broader crisis of violence against women across the country. Police spokesperson Athlenda Mathe said detectives are still determining whether one man or a group of men are responsible, and whether copycat crimes are involved. She warned that the investigation is complex and cannot be rushed. The Commission for Gender Equality’s commissioner, Princess Eurika Mogane, called the killings “a war” and said that the feeling of being hunted is real for many women. The National Shelter Movement of South Africa (NSMSA) reports that its 24‑hour helpline and shelters are receiving more calls about abuse, including death threats, stalking, strangulation and repeated violations of protection orders. They describe the situation as “deeply normalised” in many communities.

Police have urged women not to walk or run alone and to avoid isolated areas, a safety message that has sparked criticism. Mogane said that telling women to change their behaviour places the burden on victims rather than on perpetrators. The NSMSA added that women are now altering routes, avoiding certain times of day, sharing their locations and restricting movements to stay safe. They argue that safety messaging should not imply that women can prevent violence by changing their choices; responsibility lies with society and the state.

The investigation will continue with a focus on uncovering any links between the nine cases. The government faces mounting pressure to strengthen law‑enforcement, improve victim support and address the root causes of gender‑based violence. As the crisis unfolds, activists and officials warn that without systemic change, the cycle of femicide will keep turning.