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Seven women's bodies found in South Africa, fueling anger over femicide
Developing
In Short: South Africa's President Cyril Ramaphosa has vowed to investigate the killings of seven women in and around Kempton Park, a suburb north-east of Johannesburg, as the country grapples with high rates of gender-based violence.
The bodies of seven women, most found either partially or fully naked, have been discovered, with only two identified so far. The latest discovery was made on Tuesday, bringing the total number of bodies being investigated to seven.
The discoveries have sparked outrage and fear across the country, with many criticizing the authorities for failing to adequately protect women. "These deaths are indicative that women in South Africa continue to face environments in which their ordinary freedom of movement can become a matter of life and death," said South Africa's Commission for Gender Equality.
One arrest has been made in connection with the discovery of the first body, but police have urged women in the Kempton Park area to avoid walking or running alone, particularly in isolated areas.
Background
South Africa, officially the Republic of South Africa (RSA), is the southernmost country in Africa. The country consists of nine provinces, and is bounded to the south by 2,798 kilometres of coastline that stretches along the South Atlantic and Indian Ocean; to the north by the neighbouring countries of Namibia, Botswana, and Zimbabwe; and to the east and northeast by Mozambique and Eswatini.
What's still developing
- Elizabeth Moselakgomo's body was found on Saturday three days after she went missing during a routine jog South Africa's President Cyril Ramaphosa has vowed that "no stone will be left unturned" in finding those behind the killings of several women in and around the town of Kempton Park, north-east of Johannesburg, over the last two months.
- "These incidents are causing fear and uncertainty in our communities, and especially among women," the president said.
- South Africa calls gender violence a national disaster after protests I built this 'AI aunt' for women after family tragedy in South Africa On Monday, police said that one of them was Elizabeth Moselakgomo, a runner whose disappearance last week sparked a frantic and public search for her.
- South Africa experiences some of the world's highest levels of gender-based violence (GBV), with the rate at which women are killed five times higher than the global average, according to UN Women.
- "After noticing that there are bodies being picked up, we went back to our police stations… and unfortunately it came to light that a body of a female in her late 20s was observed in a river next to a mall," Maj-Gen Fred Kekana, acting police chief for Gauteng province, said at a briefing.
- String of female murder victims found near Johannesburg’s international airport, including five in the past week String of female murder victims found near Johannesburg’s international airport, including five in the past week The discovery of the bodies of seven women around Johannesburg’s international airport, including five in the past week, has prompted an outpouring of fear, grief and anger over a lack of progress in tackling femicide.