South Africa to tackle high-risk areas after 12 women killed

JOHANNESBURG (EKURHULENI SUBURB), SOUTH AFRICA, 30 SEPTEMBER 2026 —

South Africa’s Ramaphosa Launches National Emergency After 12 Women Killed in Two Months in Johannesburg Suburbs

The president’s intervention follows a surge in murders and attempted killings of women in the region, with authorities ruling out a single perpetrator but admitting systemic failures in prevention. Ramaphosa’s address outlined immediate measures, including municipal safety audits, stricter alcohol controls, and a cultural shift to dismantle entrenched attitudes that normalize violence.

The move comes as South Africa grapples with one of the highest homicide rates in the world, with recent data showing 5,427 murders nationwide in the first half of the year alone.

Ramaphosa’s speech centered on the recent killings in Ekurhuleni, where police confirmed four arrests but no definitive link to a serial offender. “There has understandably been widespread fear that the discovery of these women in close proximity could indicate the work of a single perpetrator,” he said.

“At present, the police have not found evidence establishing that these killings were committed by a single perpetrator.” The president emphasized that while alcohol does not justify violence, its misuse exacerbates interpersonal crimes, prompting an “enforcement package” targeting liquor-related incidents.

The president’s strategy extends beyond policing, targeting societal attitudes that perpetuate gender inequality. “It begins in attitudes that regard women as inferior… with the belief that a man has the right to control a woman,” Ramaphosa stated.

He urged men and boys to reject coercive behaviors, declaring that “the solution to violence against women cannot be to make women less free.” The call follows a report by the South African Human Rights Commission, which recorded 569 female homicides and 1,052 attempted murders between April and June, underscoring the scale of the crisis.

Local authorities in Ekurhuleni have been tasked with conducting women’s safety audits to identify vulnerabilities such as poorly lit streets, abandoned buildings, and unsafe transport routes. Ramaphosa directed municipalities to prioritize these assessments, framing them as a matter of urgency. “High-risk areas must be identified and addressed,” he said, without specifying timelines or resource allocations.

The president also reiterated the government’s commitment to enforcing existing laws, though critics have long questioned enforcement gaps in past campaigns.

The announcement follows months of protests and public pressure over South Africa’s failure to curb gender-based violence, a problem exacerbated by economic instability and weak law enforcement.

Ramaphosa’s address did not include new legislative proposals but signaled a renewed push for cultural change, acknowledging that “gender-based violence cannot be accepted as a normal part of life in South Africa.” The president’s remarks concluded with a direct appeal to communities to hold perpetrators accountable, though the effectiveness of past initiatives remains unproven.

The immediate next step will be the implementation of municipal audits and the enforcement package, though details on funding, timelines, or accountability mechanisms were not provided. Police in Ekurhuleni have not disclosed further progress on the four arrests linked to the recent killings, leaving unanswered questions about whether the emergency response will yield tangible results.

The president’s address marked a rare high-profile intervention in a crisis that has persisted for decades, but its impact will depend on sustained political will and public participation.

Related: Cyril Ramaphosa