Ekurhuleni murders: Activist says women need more than statements and campaigns

Ekurhuleni murders: Activist says women need more than statements and campaigns bombeleni_temp Wed, 09/16/2026 - 10:40

JOHANNESBURG - With all its policies and laws, South Africa has regressed when it comes to the treatment of women.

This is according to activist and advocate Brenda Madumise-Pajibo.

Women are killed every day in South Africa, with many of these cases never making headlines.

Therefore, Madumise-Pajibo says, the discovery of the bodies of eight women in Ekurhuleni does not come as a shock.

**READ: **Seasoned investigators brought in to probe deaths of eight Ekurhuleni women

“It is just that it has come out in the open in the manner that it has,” she says.

“There are thousands of women who have suffered at the hands of their partners by being brutally assaulted and eventually killed,” she says.

The discovery of the women’s bodies in the East Rand followed calls for searches for missing runner Elizabeth ‘Tsontso’ Moselakgomo.

A woman wearing running clothes was found in a grassy area in Rhodesfield, Kempton Park, on Saturday.

**READ: **R400k reward offered in Ekurhuleni women's deaths probe

Police subsequently announced that three more women had been found in the same area over the preceding two months.

The alleged perpetrator in the first case was arrested and police said he was the victim’s boyfriend.

The identities and circumstances surrounding the deaths of the other women remained unclear.

**READ: **Discovery of eighth body added to investigations into Ekurhuleni murders

On Monday, a fifth body was found more than 20 kilometres away in Olifantsfontein, Thembisa.

The body appeared to be recently dumped and was discovered by a passerby in the early hours of the morning.

On Tuesday, the decomposed body of a woman believed to be 35 was found outside a clinic in the early hours of the morning in Kwa-Thema.

Police also confirmed that the body of a woman in her 20s was found in a stream in Clayville, near Thembisa Mall, on 7 September. Another body was discovered on Monday.

This brings the total number of bodies linked to the investigation to eight.

Police have declined to speculate on whether a serial killer could be operating in the area.

However, they have offered a R400,000 reward for information that could assist the investigation.

**READ: **Police keep cards close to chest amid probe in Ekurhuleni murders

Speaking to eNCA, Acting Gauteng Police Commissioner Fred Kekana appealed to anyone with information to come forward.

“If someone saw something, they must say something,” Kekana said.

He said this could help stop the killings and bring those responsible to book.

Madumise-Pajibo says that in November, South Africa will prepare for the annual 16 Days of Activism campaign.

**READ: **High-level delegation meets over discovery of seven women’s bodies in Gauteng

“You will see the kind of resources put towards the 16-day programme instead of the resources being put for 365 days,” she says.

“Why do we get appeased and placated with statements?” she asks.

She says a lack of police vans in many areas also hampers police from responding to incidents of domestic violence.

Men, corporate leaders and members of religious communities must also be part of the conversation and the solution, Madumise-Pajibo says.