Cabinet has called on law enforcement agencies to expedite the arrest and prosecution of those responsible for the killing of women in Ekurhuleni and surrounding areas.
Cabinet’s call comes amid the increased number of murders of women whose bodies were discovered in Ekurhuleni and surrounding areas.
A total of 13 bodies have been recovered since July 2026, including the murder of a woman whose body was discovered at Mooifontein Cemetery in the Vusimusi section of Tembisa on Saturday, 26 September 2026, and the murder of a 23-year-old who was reportedly shot and killed during an alleged robbery in Thembisa, while on her way to work on Monday, 28 September 2020.
Briefing the media on the outcomes of the Cabinet meeting on Tuesday in Pretoria, Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni warned that perpetrators of gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF) must face the full might of the law.
She said Cabinet supports President Cyril Ramaphosa’s directive to the multidisciplinary investigation team, led by the South African Police Service (SAPS), to accelerate investigations and bring those responsible for the recent murders of women to justice.
The President is set to address the nation this evening on steps being taken by government to confront GBVF. The address will take place at 7pm.
Ntshavheni said the investigation team is pursuing several people of interest, while four suspects remain in custody after being denied bail following their court appearances.
Cabinet expressed concern over the rising incidence of gender-based violence, particularly femicide, which refers to the intentional killing of women because of their gender, often by intimate partners or people known to them.
Ntshavheni said the deliberate killing of women by their loved ones or people close to them requires a collective response from men, families, communities and society at large.
“The rise in incidents of gender-based violence, in particular femicide – the intentional killing of a woman by a person close to them – must galvanise a societal response to protect women by men, families, communities and society in general. The murder of women intentionally by their loved ones or people close to them cannot be tolerated by any society or community,” the Minister said.
She stressed that law enforcement agencies must act swiftly to ensure that perpetrators are arrested and prosecuted, noting that the country’s laws have been amended to provide for harsher measures in dealing with GBV-related crimes, including provisions allowing for the denial of bail.
Ntshavheni also reiterated that the government will continue to strengthen efforts to promote the safety and well-being of women and children and ensure that communities are safe.
“Let us all – men and women – take a stand against violence against women and play our part in ending the scourge of gender-based violence.”
The Minister also acknowledged women who have been using the Gender-Based Violence Command Centre hotline to seek assistance and intervention, emphasising the importance of reporting abuse and accessing available support services.
Cabinet has urged anyone with information that can assist in criminal investigations to report it to the police.
Members of the public can report information through the Crime Stop toll-free number, 08600 10111, or contact the 24-hour Gender-Based Violence Command Centre on 0800 428 428.
The GBV Command Centre can also be reached by sending a Please Call Me to 1207867#, SMSing “HELP” to 31531, or contacting Skype: Helpme GBV.
