President Ramaphosa admits failure to protect women in South Africa — Daily Maverick
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa acknowledged that the state has done too little to protect women from gender-based violence and femicide. In an address, he announced four measures in response to the killings of women in Ekurhuleni and problems in the work of police, the protection-order system, forensic services and case management, Daily Maverick reports.
Ramaphosa recalled that he had already addressed the nation on this issue in September 2019 following the murder of Uyinene Mrwetyana. He said women should not have to live in fear because of faulty lighting, unsafe public spaces, delays in processing evidence or failures to enforce laws. According to the president, the bodies of 11 women have been found in Ekurhuleni since July.
Four government measures
Among the announced steps is a nationwide review of outstanding cases involving murder, attempted murder, rape and other serious sexual crimes against women and children. Police and justice authorities must audit such cases within 60 days and prepare plans for priority and stalled cases within 90 days.
Authorities must also develop a funded plan to reduce the backlog of unprocessed forensic materials and set processing time standards for priority gender-based violence cases. Municipalities were instructed to identify dangerous locations within 60 days, including faulty streetlights, abandoned buildings, unsafe public spaces and transport routes. Separately, the government will prepare legislative and law-enforcement measures to reduce violence linked to alcohol abuse.
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The president stressed that alcohol is not the cause of violence and does not excuse it, while responsibility always lies with the perpetrator. The first consolidated report on the implementation of the measures is due in 90 days, with reports to be published quarterly thereafter.
Investigation into the Ekurhuleni killings
South African police have formed a special task force to investigate 13 murders of women in Ekurhuleni. Law enforcement officials said the victims’ profiles and crime scenes share similar features, but urged against drawing conclusions about a possible serial killer: there is currently no evidence linking all the cases. Police have publicly identified 10 of the 13 victims, and at least four women had been reported missing before their bodies were found.
Arrests have already been made in connection with four of the 13 murders. In the case of the death of 49-year-old Ntombifuthi Nxumalo, 36-year-old Victor Matome Rampedi appeared in court and was charged with murder. He remains in custody and said he intends to apply for bail; the hearing was postponed until October 6.
According to the data cited in the report, 3,422 women were murdered in South Africa in 2023–2024. Shenilla Mohamed, executive director of Amnesty International South Africa, said the promised measures would matter only if they are genuinely implemented and there is accountability for inaction.
