South African President Addresses Recent Killings of Women Near Johannesburg

Elizabeth Moselakgomo's body was found on Saturday, three days after she went missing during a routine jog. South Africa's President Cyril Ramaphosa has vowed that "no stone will be left unturned" in finding those responsible for the killings of several women in and around Kempton Park, northeast of Johannesburg, over the last two months. Another body was discovered on Tuesday morning, and police say their investigation now includes the deaths of seven women, most of whom have been found either partially or fully naked. "These incidents are causing fear and uncertainty in our communities, and especially among women," President Ramaphosa stated. Police are not currently linking the deaths to a serial killer but are investigating the possibility that a group may be involved. Police spokesperson Brig Athlenda Mathe mentioned, "[It] could be that it's a copycat crime that is happening right here but so far, no linkages as yet." One arrest has been made in connection with the discovery of the first body, and the individual remains in police custody. So far, only two of the seven women have been identified. South Africa has labeled gender violence a national disaster, with the rate of women killed being five times higher than the global average, according to UN Women. The discoveries of the bodies have led to public outrage and fear, with many criticizing authorities for not adequately protecting women. Moselakgomo was identified by her relatives on Monday after her body was discovered on Saturday. Her daughter raised the alarm about her disappearance after she failed to return from her daily run last Wednesday. The first woman's body was found in mid-July, the second in late August, and the others were discovered this month, including two in the last two days. On Tuesday, police confirmed that the body found on September 7 in a town near Kempton Park is also part of the investigation. Maj-Gen Fred Kekana, acting police chief for Gauteng province, stated, "After noticing that there are bodies being picked up, we went back to our police stations… and unfortunately it came to light that a body of a female in her late 20s was observed in a river next to a mall." Police have advised women in the Kempton Park area, which is near South Africa's main international airport, to avoid walking or running alone, particularly in isolated areas. The South African Commission for Gender Equality urged residents of Kempton Park to collaborate with police to find the perpetrators. "These deaths are indicative that women in South Africa continue to face environments in which their ordinary freedom of movement can become a matter of life and death," the commission stated. "Women should be able to run, walk to work, use public transport, return home, visit friends, and participate in community life without having to calculate whether an ordinary activity could place their lives at risk."