South African President Cyril Ramaphosa announced that "no stone will be left unturned" until those responsible for the murders of several women in and around Kempton Park, located in northeastern Johannesburg, are identified. In the past two months, two more bodies have been discovered in the area, and police have stated that their investigations now include the murders of eight women, most of whom were found in semi-nude or completely nude states.
Increased Concern in Local Communities
The President stated: "These incidents have created fear and insecurity in our communities, especially among women." Police have yet to find a connection between these murders and a serial killer, but they are exploring possibilities that a group of individuals may be involved in these crimes.
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Police officer Brigadier General Atlen Da Met stated: "It is possible that this is a copycat crime, but so far no connections have been found." In relation to the discovery of the first body, one person has been arrested and is currently in police custody. Additionally, the police have offered a reward of 400,000 Rand (approximately $24,500) for information that could assist in advancing the investigation.
Increase in Female Homicides in South Africa
So far, only two of the eight women who lost their lives have been identified. One of these women, Elizabeth Muslakagumo, was a professional runner whose disappearance sparked public searches last week. President Ramaphosa announced that he has instructed law enforcement agencies to prioritize these cases: "Our law enforcement organizations are working swiftly on the facts, ensuring the safety of communities, and bringing the perpetrator or perpetrators to justice."
South Africa has one of the highest rates of gender-based violence in the world, and statistics show that the homicide rate for women is five times the global average. The discovery of these bodies has sparked outrage and insecurity across the country, with many people criticizing authorities for failing to provide adequate protection for women.
Muslakagumo was identified by her relatives on Monday after her body was found on Saturday. Her young daughter raised the alarm after her mother did not return from her daily run. The body of the first woman was discovered in mid-July and the second woman in late August, with the remaining bodies found this month.
On Tuesday, police announced that the body of a woman found on September 7 in a town near Kempton Park has also been added to the investigation. Police officials have advised women in the Kempton Park area, which is near South Africa's main international airport, to avoid walking or running alone, especially in isolated areas. The South African Gender Equality Commission has urged residents of Kempton Park to cooperate with the police to identify the criminals.
The commission stated in a statement: "These deaths highlight that women in South Africa continue to face environments where their ordinary freedoms can become a matter of life and death." Women should be able to move freely to work, use public transport, return home, and participate in social life without having to calculate whether a normal activity might endanger their lives.
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