Grim Discoveries of Murdered Women Spark Fear in South Africa

A spate of grim discoveries of murdered women in South Africa's Ekurhuleni region has sent waves of fear and outrage across the nation, highlighting the persistent crisis of gender-based violence. The bodies of nine women have been found in similar circumstances since July, prompting a national outcry and renewed calls for action.

Dineo Motapane, a 38-year-old mother of two, was last seen alive on a Sunday and her partially burned body was discovered later in the residential area of Ekurhuleni. Her aunt, Nokwanda Matshikiza, expressed the profound grief and disbelief of the family. "How do you explain that your parent was brutally murdered, dumped in a field, and just left there, discarded like a piece of rubbish," Matshikiza told the BBC.

Motapane's death is one of three discovered in Ekurhuleni this week, adding to the seven found since mid-July. Many of the victims were young, in their 20s or 30s, and had suffered extreme violence before their deaths. Police have stated they are investigating but are uncertain if they are hunting a serial killer, acknowledging the possibility that the cases may not be linked.

Themba Kekana described the devastation of losing his sister, Itumeleng, a 32-year-old shopkeeper whose body was found 17 days after her disappearance in July. "We are devastated with grief," he said. "I look at my sister's young daughter and my eyes fill with tears, I know there is no way that I can ever take this pain away from her."

South Africa's Human Rights Commission reported that 569 women were killed between April and June this year, an average of six per day, with an additional 1,052 cases of attempted murder. These figures have intensified pressure on the government, which less than a year ago declared gender-based violence a national disaster.

In response to the escalating violence, rights group Amnesty International has called for femicide to be recognized as a separate crime. "Every day that femicide remains unrecognised as a crime is a failure to confront the targeted killing of women," said Shenilla Mohamed, Amnesty's country director. "It is time to call it what it is: Femicide."

President Cyril Ramaphosa has pledged to leave "no stone unturned" in the investigations and stated, "As a nation, we must stand up for the rights, safety and dignity of women and girls."

Advocates like Lebogang Ramofoko suggest the high levels of violence are symptomatic of a deeper societal issue, stemming from historical traumas and a lack of regard for human life, particularly that of Black women. "The bodies of black women have been treated as disposable in this country for time in memorial, passed down from colonisation through to apartheid," Ramofoko explained.

Community groups, such as the Girl2Woman Foundation in Kempton Park, one of the affected areas, have organized protests to raise awareness. "We are grieved, we are scared," said Lumka Maqhubela of the foundation. "If the police cannot protect us any more the government should step in and do something."

The pervasive fear has impacted daily life. Thulisile Sibande, 32, expressed discomfort and trauma, stating, "When I go to a shop, I have to look around. I'm shocked and scared. So scared, it's a trauma." Older residents also voice concerns; Thembi Mabena, 60, noted that many children are now afraid to go to the shop alone, adding, "There is no safety, even for me too. I am old, but there is no safety."

"In South Africa," said 20-year-old Lerato Mzizi, "women are not safe any more."