Women for Change: Police must stop putting safety burden on women

Women for Change: Police must stop putting safety burden on women bombeleni_temp Tue, 09/15/2026 - 10:15

JOHANNESBURG - Women are tired of being told to be more vigilant to protect themselves from violence, says Women for Change’s Sabrina Walter.

“Look at the lengths women already go to to stay alive,” she says.

Walter says police and the state should not shift the responsibility for women’s safety back onto women.

Her comments come as police urge women to take extra precautions following the disappearance of runner Elizabeth “Tsontso” Moselakgomo.

**READ: **Copycat killings? Expert warns amid East Rand women's deaths

Three other women’s bodies were previously found in the Rhodesfield area, with police investigating whether there are links between some of the cases.

Police have confirmed that one of the women, a 37-year-old, was allegedly killed by her boyfriend in July. He has since been arrested.

Two other cases remain under investigation.

A fifth woman’s body was later discovered in Olifantsfontein, more than 20 kilometres from Rhodesfield. She was found partially clothed.

On Tuesday, another woman’s body was discovered in Kwa-Thema, also in Ekurhuleni.

**READ: **Kempton Park residents, runners demand action over women's safety

Police have encouraged women to run in groups, share their locations and remain vigilant.

But Walter says women are already taking numerous precautions to protect themselves.

“We are in the middle of a national disaster. That must mean something operationally,” she says.

Walter is calling for greater urgency, coordination, prevention and accountability from police and other state institutions responsible for women’s safety.

“It is the responsibility of the police and state to create a country in which women and children are safe,” she says.

**READ: **Police throwing resources at Kempton Park investigation

Walter says the scale of the current police response is concerning because it appears to have come only after multiple women were killed.

She points to public warnings, additional resources and the establishment of multidisciplinary task teams.

“Prevention cannot begin after the fourth body. Where was this level of urgency after the first woman was found?” she asks.

Walter says law enforcement needs to move from reacting to violence to preventing it.

**READ: **Task team formed to investigate Kempton Park women's deaths

She says reports of violence, stalking, threats and protection-order violations should be treated with urgency, while families should not have to organise their own searches for missing loved ones.

“The women in this country are tired and are angry,” she says.

She says women deserve to live freely without constantly having to calculate how to stay alive.