Nine Women Dead in One Region: A Daughter's Search Ends in Grief
Families grieve as nine women killed in Ekurhuleni region remain largely unidentified
Elizabeth Moselakgomo left her home in Kempton Park for an afternoon run last week and never came back. Her daughter raised the alarm when she failed to return, and Moselakgomo’s body was identified on Monday. She is one of nine women killed in the Ekurhuleni region since July, and her death has sent grief through her family and neighborhood in a way that no policy announcement can fully capture.
Six of the nine victims remain unidentified. Minister in the Presidency for Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities Sindisiwe Chikunga has appealed to the public for information about missing relatives and friends, stressing that naming the victims will allow their families to give them dignified burials and help investigators pursue those responsible. For the families still waiting, that uncertainty compounds the loss.
Additional reference context is available at https://www.sanews.gov.za/south-africa/government-vows-tougher-action-against-gbvf.
Chikunga visited Moselakgomo’s family on Wednesday before speaking at a Memorial Dialogue against Gender-Based Violence and Femicide held Thursday at the Civic Centre in Kempton Park. “The trauma we witness here in Kempton Park is not an isolated incident,” she told those gathered, describing the violence as a systemic national crisis affecting children, families and communities far beyond this region. She declared that “enough is enough,” insisting that women should be able to walk, run and occupy public spaces without fear.
What changed, at least on paper: recent amendments to the Criminal Procedure Act have removed the ability of police and prosecutors to grant station bail in gender-based violence cases. Bail decisions now rest with courts following a formal hearing. The changes also strengthen provisions concerning life imprisonment and parole for perpetrators.
Employers now carry a legal obligation to check the National Register for Sexual Offenders before finalizing appointments, with criminal liability for those who fail to comply. Three pieces of legislation form the backbone of the government’s response: the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences and Related Matters) Amendment Act, the Criminal and Related Matters Amendment Act, and the Domestic Violence Amendment Act. Details are available at www.sanews.gov.za/south-africa/government-vows-tougher-action-against-gbvf.
The National Council on Gender-Based Violence and Femicide, recently established with an inaugurated board, will serve as a permanent, statutory and multisectoral mechanism to coordinate the country’s response. The council is expected to develop a comprehensive national action plan covering prevention, accountability and interventions across South Africa.
Chikunga also addressed men directly, urging them to reject violence against women and girls. The government is placing greater emphasis on what officials call positive masculinity, working through schools, churches and traditional leaders to promote respect, equality and non-violence. “True masculinity does not destroy; it builds and protects,” she said.
President Cyril Ramaphosa has directed that the Kempton Park cases be prioritized and that law enforcement agencies deploy all available investigative resources. Acting Police Minister Professor Firoz Cachalia delivered the President’s message at the memorial service. “We are determined to act with urgency to solve these killings, to bring those responsible to justice, and to restore calm and security to communities,” Cachalia said, adding that the South African Police Service, working with all relevant state bodies, has dedicated personnel and resources to the cases.
The memorial service gave families and communities of Ekurhuleni a moment to mourn and stand together while investigations continue. For the six families who still do not know whether their missing relative is among the dead, that moment of collective grief remains incomplete. Whether the legislative commitments made this week translate into safety on the streets of Kempton Park, and across the country, is the question those families are now living with.
Q&A
Who is Elizabeth Moselakgomo and what happened to her?
Elizabeth Moselakgomo left her home in Kempton Park for an afternoon run and never returned. Her daughter raised the alarm when she failed to come back, and her body was identified on Monday. She is one of nine women killed in the Ekurhuleni region since July.
Why is the unidentified status of six victims significant for their families?
Six of the nine victims remain unidentified. This uncertainty prevents families from giving their relatives dignified burials and compounds their loss. For the six families still waiting, not knowing whether their missing relative is among the dead leaves their grief incomplete.
What legislative changes has the government made to address gender-based violence?
Recent amendments to the Criminal Procedure Act removed police and prosecutor ability to grant station bail in gender-based violence cases; bail decisions now rest with courts. Employers must check the National Register for Sexual Offenders before hiring, with criminal liability for non-compliance. Three pieces of legislation form the backbone of the response: the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences and Related Matters) Amendment Act, the Criminal and Related Matters Amendment Act, and the Domestic Violence Amendment Act.
What institutional mechanisms has the government established to coordinate response to gender-based violence?
The National Council on Gender-Based Violence and Femicide has been recently established with an inaugurated board to serve as a permanent, statutory and multisectoral mechanism. The council is expected to develop a comprehensive national action plan covering prevention, accountability and interventions across South Africa. The government is also promoting positive masculinity through schools, churches and traditional leaders.