Murders of nine women in South Africa change runners’ habits — Taipei Times

In Johannesburg, South Africa, after the bodies of nine women were found over two months, female runners and other residents are changing their routes and taking additional safety measures. Among those killed was 38-year-old runner Elizabeth Moselakgomo: on September 9, she went for a run and did not return home, and her body was found three days later near Kempton Park. This was reported by Taipei Times.

Since mid-July, eight more bodies have been found in the Kempton Park area. Police are determining whether a serial killer or several people may be involved in these murders, but have not stated that all the cases are linked. Three people have been detained in connection with the murders in the Kempton Park area: a man is in custody in the case of one murder, while two women are charged in the case of another.

Safety measures while running

Nancy Masha, 39, who usually runs alone, began taking pepper spray and a knife on her runs two days after Moselakgomo’s body was found. She had previously taken part in a marathon with the deceased and said that her murder traumatized her.

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Following Moselakgomo’s death, Chulumanco Mahamba limited her walks to two per week. She avoids remote routes, sends her loved ones her real-time location and photos of her clothing before going out. At the same time, runner Hlompho Matji noted that an attacker could take pepper spray or a knife and use them against their owner.

Protests and the president’s address

The discovery of the bodies prompted memorial gatherings, protests and group runs from Kempton Park to Cape Town. Participants are honoring the victims and demanding action to protect women. Last year, the South African government declared gender-based violence a national disaster.

According to the government, a 24-hour gender-based violence helpline received 6,782 requests for help from September 1 to 16, an average of 424 per day. This is 21% more than during the same period of the previous month. South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, during an event marking a public holiday, called the suffering of the country’s women a “national shame” and said they have the right to walk the streets without fear.