Nine women whose deaths are being investigated across Ekurhuleni were remembered in Kwa-Thema on Tuesday, as government officials and community members called for stronger action against gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF).
Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni, Ekurhuleni MMCs, government officials and civil society organisations attended the memorial at Indaba Tree Heritage Park as part of the Love Your Street service delivery programme.
The latest discovery was made in Dawn Park on 17 September, bringing the number of women whose deaths are being investigated to nine. The cases span areas including Kempton Park, Olifantsfontein, Kwa-Thema and Dawn Park.
Among the women identified are Elizabeth “Tsontso” Moselakgomo, who was reported missing after going for a run, and Dineo Motapane, whose body was found in Kwa-Thema.
The South African Police Service has not confirmed whether the deaths are linked, while a multidisciplinary team continues investigating the cases.
The deaths have prompted concern among communities, with Kwa-Thema residents recently calling for stronger action against GBVF and improved safety for women.
Nthabiseng Montshosane, a councillor of the Women’s Sector Parliament and member of Asset-Based Community Development, said residents also had a role to play in keeping their communities safe and clean.
“We need to keep our streets clean, because if they are not clean, it’s going to cause health hazards in the community,” Nthabiseng said.
She said illegal dumping remained a challenge despite regular waste collection.
“Every single day the waste management is here to pick up our bins. But you find that some of the community members… are also going into illegal dumping,” she said.
Ntshavheni said the Love Your Street programme formed part of government’s response to GBVF, including efforts to improve safety through environmental design.
She pointed to dark streets, open spaces and illegal dumping sites as potential safety risks for women.
“If we clean the streets, if we clean the open spaces, make sure that they are decluttered, there won’t be spots where women will be hijacked,” Ntshavheni said.
The minister also stressed the importance of adequate lighting in public spaces.
She said only two of the nine women had initially been reported missing and called for greater vigilance and care within communities.
An additional indigenous tree was planted in honour of Richard Victor Selope Thema, an early ANC leader after whom Kwa-Thema was named, as part of the Milestones of Freedom campaign.
The delegation later proceeded to Masimini Primary School for a community clean-up.
