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Grim discoveries of murdered women spark fear in South Africa

BBC • September 18, 2026 • general

Key Points:

A series of brutal murders of women in Ekurhuleni, near Johannesburg, South Africa, has sparked national fear and outrage, with nine bodies found since July, many showing signs of extreme violence.
Families of victims, such as Nokwanda Matshikiza and Themba Kekana, express deep grief and frustration over the lack of arrests and the ongoing threat to women's safety in the region.
South Africa faces a severe gender-based violence crisis, with official data showing 569 women killed and over 1,000 attempted murders in one quarter alone, prompting calls to recognize femicide as a distinct crime.
Government and rights groups, including Amnesty International, urge stronger action and legal reforms, while President Cyril Ramaphosa has vowed to thoroughly investigate the Ekurhuleni murders and improve protection for women.
Activists highlight the historical and systemic roots of violence against black women in South Africa, emphasizing the urgent need for societal change and enhanced community safety measures.

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