According to data from the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC), between April and June 2026, 569 cases of female murders and 1052 attempted murders were registered in South Africa. Furthermore, 8814 rape cases were recorded in the first quarter of this year.
The Commission condemned the deaths of eight women in the Ekurhuleni area, Gauteng province. The bodies of these women were found in different locations over the past two months, and the police are intensifying the investigation to establish a link between these deaths.
SAHRC expressed condolences to the families who lost loved ones and stated that 'South Africa is not a safe place for women.'
Violence against women as a pervasive threat
The Commission emphasized the importance of a point made by Judge Khampepe in the case of S v Tshabalala; Ntuli v S (2019). The judge noted that the notion that rape is committed by sexually deviant monsters without self-control is erroneous. She cited examples from legal databases that refute this idea, pointing out that perpetrators are often fathers, brothers, uncles, husbands, lovers, mentors, bosses, and colleagues—ordinary people leading normal lives.
In the opinion of SAHRC, these comments demonstrate the widespread nature of violence against women. The Commission stated that this phenomenon is present in all spheres of society and constitutes an inevitable, constant threat to women's lives. Moreover, women continue to largely fight this problem alone, and they should not be expected to fight gender-based violence or take extraordinary precautions for everyday life on their own.
It was noted with disappointment that despite President Cyril Ramaphosa declaring gender-based violence and femicide a national catastrophe in 2025, violence against women remains a societal evil that deprives women of their fundamental constitutional rights, such as the right to life, security, dignity, and freedom.
Latest crime statistics
SAHRC reiterated that between April and June 2026, 569 women were killed and 1052 people survived attempted murder. Information was also released stating that 8814 rape cases were registered in the first quarter of 2026.
The Commission also highlighted the prevalence of violence against women and children in schools. Its 2026 report, titled 'The Scourge of Sexual Violence at Schools: A Crisis of Fragmentation, Delayed Integration, and Uneven Enforcement', describes the alarming prevalence of sexual violence in educational institutions. The report calls for enhanced protection of students against sexual violence, whether committed by teachers, peers, staff, service providers, or outsiders.
Calls for a more decisive state response
Due to the persistent prevalence of violence against women, SAHRC, in collaboration with the Gender Equality Commission and the Commission for the Promotion and Protection of the Rights of Cultural, Religious and Linguistic Communities, has initiated a historic joint national investigation. This investigation will examine the processes of reporting, victim support, investigation, and pre-trial functioning of the criminal justice system in response to gender-based violence in South Africa. It is scheduled from September 28 to October 2, 2026.
The Commission reported that these three constitutional bodies aim to assess the registration, victim support, investigation, prosecution, sentencing, and rehabilitation of gender-based violence cases in South Africa. SAHRC welcomed the establishment of the National Council on Gender-Based Violence and Femicide in August 2026 and urged the state to ensure that this council is legally, structurally, and financially equipped for a meaningful response to the crisis.
Municipalities called upon to improve safety
The Commission also noted that its investigative reports on municipal service delivery revealed the role of local authorities in creating safer communities. It was recommended that open fields be properly maintained, high grass cut, abandoned buildings reconstructed, street lighting ensured to be functional, and water and sanitation infrastructure made accessible in safe areas.
The Commission demanded that all law enforcement agencies conduct thorough investigations to hold those responsible for violent crimes accountable. It reported positive shifts in the arrest of one suspect and the identification of a second suspect. SAHRC also appealed to the public and civil society organizations to contribute significantly to the upcoming joint investigation into gender-based violence, emphasizing that broad participation will help address shortcomings in the state's response to gender-based violence and femicide.
Eight bodies discovered
The first body was found on July 15 when a 37-year-old woman, naked and tied with cable ties, was discovered in an open field in Kempton Park. The suspect, allegedly the victim's partner, was arrested in connection with the murder on July 17. On August 3, the body of Itumeleng Kekana was found in Kempton Park. On September 7, the body of a woman, presumably around 20 years old and wearing only underwear, was found in a river in Clayville, Olifantsfontein, near Thembisa Mall. On the same day in Olifantsfontein, another unidentified woman's body was discovered. On September 10, an unidentified woman's body, which was naked and in an advanced stage of decomposition, was found near Kempton Park; the police were conducting forensic procedures to identify her.
On September 12 in Rhodesfield, Kempton Park, the remains of 38-year-old Elizabeth 'Tsonzo' Moselakgomo, partially naked and bruised, were found. Her family identified her on September 14. On September 14 in Olifantsfontein, the body of another unidentified woman was found after a witness reported it to the authorities; the police reported that the body was partially naked and had bruises. On September 15 in Kwa-Tembe, Springs, the body of 38-year-old Dineo Evelyn Motapane, naked and in a state of decomposition, was found. Police reported that Motapane was last seen alive on Sunday, and her family had not reported her missing until the body was discovered. Her family identified her at the Springs morgue on Wednesday afternoon.
As a reward for information leading to the successful arrest of those responsible for the death of eight women in Ekurhuleni, the Democratic Alliance offered 500,000 rand. DA Ekurhuleni mayoral candidate Khathutshelo Rasilingwane announced the reward near the Kempton Park police station on Wednesday, where demonstrators held placards reading 'Am I next?' and 'We demand justice.' The police separately offered a reward of 400,000 rand for information that could lead to an arrest. Current National Commissioner of Police Puleng Dimpane announced the police reward on Tuesday evening during a media briefing, urging the public and families to report missing relatives in the area. Investigations are ongoing, and the police are examining the circumstances of each death and any possible links between the cases.