Statement by the IMC on GBVF on actions taken regarding the killing of women in Ekurhuleni

The Inter-Ministerial Committee mourns the deaths of the nine women whose bodies were discovered in Ekurhuleni, Gauteng, a body of a woman in Thlabane, North-West, and a body in Mookgoopong, Limpopo. 

We extend our deepest condolences to their families, loved ones and communities, and to all South Africans who have been deeply affected by these killings. Each of these women was a human being of equal dignity, with relationships, hopes and a rightful place in our society. Government stands with the affected families and remains committed to ensuring that they receive the necessary support while justice is pursued. 

The Inter-Ministerial Committee on Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (IMC on GBVF) met on Thursday, 17 September 2026 to receive a briefing and consider recommendations from NATJOINTS on the work to speedily find the perpetrators of the murders of women in Ekurhuleni metro of the Gauteng Province. The IMC was also attended on invitation by the Premier of Gauteng, Executive Mayor of Ekurhuleni, and representatives of the Johannesburg and Tshwane Metros. 

The IMC approved a Comprehensive Emergency Strategy for implementation, which is line with the key elements of the National Strategic Plan on the fight against GBVF of:

1. Prevention and Rebuilding Social Cohesion 
2. Law Enforcement, Protection, Safety, and Justice 
3. Victim and Survivor Centred Support 

Priority: Law Enforcement, Protection, Safety, and Justice 

(a) Multidisciplinary Specialised Investigation team  

As the President Cyril Ramaphosa has directed that the investigation into these heinous killings must receive the highest level of attention from government and law-enforcement agencies, the multidisciplinary specialised team established to investigate the cases, has been elevated to be coordinated by the Deputy National Commissioner: Detective Services. 

Members of the public with information that could assist the investigation are urged to contact Warrant Officer Elvis Manyike on 082 465 7249 or call the South African Police Service Crime Stop number on 08600 10111. Information may be provided anonymously.   

The IMC was informed that of the nine (9) discovered bodies, one (1) body remain with no missing person case reported. The IMC calls on people to check on their female relatives who are in Ekurhuleni, particularly those in and around Kempton Park, Kwa-Thema and Tembisa, and to report any missing persons at their nearest police station. 

There is no requirement to wait 24 hours before reporting a person missing. Early reporting enables the police to initiate the necessary investigation and search processes without delay. Families should provide a recent photograph, a description of the missing person, details of where the person was last seen and any other information that may assist investigators.   

Community members who have information about the killings in Ekurhuleni are urged to cooperate fully with investigators. Information should be reported directly to the police rather than circulated through social media or informal community platforms. The sharing of unverified allegations, graphic images or the personal information of victims may cause additional trauma to families, fuel fear and prejudice, or compromise ongoing investigations. 

(b) Increased police visibility  

NATJOINTS has increased law enforcement visibility in the area under Operation Shanela which is also beneficial in the general fight against crime with arrests made on unrelated crimes, The expanded Operation Shanela includes participation of Metro Police of the three metro municipalities. 

(c) Multi-Disciplinary Enforcement of By- Laws and Laws of the Republic. To address the illegal sale of  liquor and illegal drugs, as well as continuing to support the work on the IMC on illegal migration.  

Priority: Prevention and Rebuilding Social Cohesion 

(d) Safety by Environmental Design 

The City of Ekurhuleni will intensify grass cutting and debushing of open spaces and clearing of illegal dumping sites in line with the Clean Cities and Towns that was launched by the Deputy President in 2025. In addition, due to the urgency of the situation, GCIS is redirecting the “Love Your Street” campaign which involves the mobilisation of communities to participate in keeping their environment clean and promote shared responsibility for neighbourhood safety. 

The Love Your Street campaign encourages communities and municipalities to clean, maintain and improve local environments, including addressing overgrown grass and illegal dumping. Love Your Street campaign does not remove the responsibility for reliable refuse removal, clearing of open spaces and keeping open spaces properly lit from municipalities. Businesses also have a responsibility to contribute to safer communities. Shopping centres, transport facilities, entertainment establishments and other businesses operating in public spaces should ensure that lighting, security systems, emergency procedures and surveillance infrastructure are functional. 

Most importantly, businesses should cooperate promptly with police requests for information or security footage that may assist an investigation. In this regard, the IMC condemns in most severe terms, the GBVF Sandton reported incident, where a man has been recorded threatening women for rejecting his advances. No matter how a woman rejects you, it doesn’t entitle you to harm her. We commend the women for opening a case against the man and the establishment for not only condemning the incident but pledging cooperation with the Police. 

The IMC is calling on the suspect to hand himself over to the nearest police station as a matter of urgency, however, the law will find him no matter how rich he is. The IMC commend law enforcement for the speedy arrests of an alleged rapist who raped a 17-year-old child in an Uber. We also take this opportunity to appreciate the taxi industry and indunas who assisted in the arrest of the perpetrator. This is the type of community leadership that our country needs. 

The IMC has learnt with grave concern of attempts to interfere with police investigations and the law will take its course on interference with justice. Law-enforcement officials and all institutions receiving complaints of gender-based violence have a responsibility to respond promptly, professionally and sensitively. Every report must be treated seriously, properly investigated and referred to the appropriate support services. The IMC appeals to men and boys to become active partners in ending violence against women and children. Men must challenge harmful behaviour, reject misogyny, teach boys to respect women and girls, and report abuse wherever it occurs. Silence, indifference and the protection of perpetrators allow violence to continue. 

Priority: Victim and Survivor Centred Support 

(e) Immediate Psycho-Social Support 

The Department of Social Development has commenced providing psycho-social support to the families of the identified victims in line with the families needs. The IMC calls on members of the public to allow the police the necessary space to conduct a thorough investigation. Communities are urged not to circulate unverified information, graphic material or speculation that could cause further distress to the affected families or compromise the investigation. 

Community has an important role  

The IMC emphasises that communities are essential partners in preventing gender-based violence and femicide, supporting investigations and creating safer public spaces. Residents must remain vigilant and report suspicious conduct, threats, harassment, missing persons and incidents of violence to the police without delay.   

The IMC calls on community policing forums, ward committees, street committees, traditional and faith-based organisations, civil society formations, institutions of higher learning, schools, businesses and neighbourhood associations to strengthen their coordination with local policing structures. These formations should help communities identify safety concerns, improve reporting mechanisms and connect victims and survivors with appropriate protection, psychosocial, health and legalsupport services. 

Families, neighbours and colleagues should take reports of abuse, stalking, threats, coercive control and harassment seriously. Warning signs must not be dismissed as private family matters. Where a person may be in immediate danger, community members should contact the police or emergency services and avoid interventions that could place the victim, witnesses or other residents at greater risk. 

Men and boys must be mobilised as active partners in preventing violence. Community, sporting, workplace, educational and faith-based programmes should promote positive models of masculinity, respect for women and girls, non-violent conflict resolution and accountability. Men must challenge harmful attitudes, reject misogyny, refuse to protect perpetrators and speak out when they witness abusive or threatening behaviour. 

Parents and caregivers also have a responsibility to teach children that violence, harassment and discrimination are unacceptable. Schools, institutions of higher learning, and youth organisations should strengthen age-appropriate awareness programmes on personal safety, respectful relationships, reporting mechanisms and available support services. 

Teachers and other responsible adults should be equipped to identify possible signs of abuse and follow the prescribed safeguarding and referral procedures. Care must be taken to protect the privacy, dignity and safety of children and survivors at all times. 

The IMC further encourages residents of Gauteng to familiarise themselves with available emergency-support mechanisms, including the Gauteng e-Panic service, which enables users to request assistance through a mobile phone when facing threats such as domestic violence, assault, stalking, robbery or other emergencies. 

Victims and survivors of gender-based violence may contact the 24-hour Gender-Based Violence Command Centre on 0800 428 428 for assistance. Incidents of rape, assault, domestic violence or other criminal conduct should be reported at the nearest police station or through SAPS Crime Stop on 08600 10111. 

Conclusions 

The IMC remains concerned that, despite strengthened legislation and interventions to improve the criminal justice response, South Africa continues to experience unacceptably high levels of gender-based violence and femicide. The National Strategic Plan on Gender-Based Violence and Femicide remains the country’s collective framework for preventing violence, strengthening the criminal justice response, supporting victims and survivors, and addressing the social and economic conditions that enable abuse. 

We need all hands-on deck on a sustained and coordinated action by government, law-enforcement agencies, civil society, business, communities and individuals. Gender-based violence and femicide are not private or women’s issues. They are societal crimes that demand collective responsibility and decisive action.