Ramaphosa says 11 women's bodies found in Ekurhuleni since July as police probe goes national

A woman’s body was found in Springs, Gauteng, on Sunday, bringing to 11 the number of women’s bodies found in Ekurhuleni since July. President Cyril Ramaphosa addressed the nation from the Union Buildings on Tuesday night in response.

The President described the violence against women in the country as inhuman. “Behind each of these terrible deaths was a human being, a daughter, a mother, a sister, a friend whose life had value, whose future mattered and whose absence has left a family and a community grieving,” he said.

He told the country that government’s response to date had fallen short. “We must confront an uncomfortable truth. What we have done has not been enough. We need to do much more. It has not been enough to prevent women from being killed. It has not been enough to change the attitudes and behaviour that enable violence against women. As government, we must do better. As a society, we must do better,” he said.

The killings, he said, are receiving attention at the highest level of government and law enforcement. A specialised multidisciplinary investigation has been elevated to the national level under the coordination of the Deputy National Commissioner for Detective Services of the South African Police Service.

That investigation, according to the President, brings together detectives, crime intelligence, forensic specialists, investigative psychologists, digital investigators and other specialised capabilities. The Council for Scientific and Industrial Research is assisting with the digital forensic investigation.

Arrests have already been made in connection with some of the murders. Police arrested a suspect on Sunday in connection with the killing of Ntombifuthi Nxumalo, whose body was found on Saturday. Two suspects have been arrested and have appeared in court in connection with the killing of Jabulile Ntimba, and a suspect is in custody in connection with the murder of Busisiwe Mahlangu.

In the other cases, the President said police have identified persons of interest and collected forensic material, including DNA, blood samples, clothing, cellphones and cellphone records.

He addressed the fear that the discoveries in close proximity might point to one killer. “At present, the police have not found evidence establishing that these killings were committed by a single perpetrator. All possibilities remain under investigation,” he said.

The President said the violence is a source of profound pain and national shame, and that the anger in the country is justified. “I also speak as a man, as a husband and as a father to daughters. But no man should look away from the violence to which women in our country are subjected. The nation is angry. The women of South Africa are angry. Their anger is justified. I share that anger,” he said.

In his address, he paid tribute to Busisiwe Mahlangu, Itumeleng Kekana, Nomfesane Mjobo, Gracious Nkomo, Elizabeth Moselakgomo, Dineo Motapane, Jabulile Ntimba and Ntombifuthi Nxumalo.

Beyond Ekurhuleni, he named 10-year-old Octavia Swarts from Kraaifontein, Nomakhwezi Zitha from Delft, Taymin Platt from Eersterust, Josephine Tshabalala from Orlando East and Siyavuya Mlunguza from Komani. He also paid tribute to Mariette Mouton, a 73-year-old Bredasdorp grandmother, Christina Nyalungu, a security officer at the University of Limpopo, and Sibongile Mdali from Richmond.

He mentioned 15-year-old Amogelang Motshwaedi from Dinokana village, Pinky Shelembe and Ntombizana Mbanjwa from Richmond, and Amanda Kosani from Port Alfred, who was killed on Women’s Day.

“Theirs are the names we know. There are others whose names we do not yet know,” the President said.

Source: SAnews (South African Government News Agency), Violence against women “inhuman”, says President Ramaphosa, https://www.sanews.gov.za/south-africa/violence-against-women-inhuman-says-president-ramaphosa