Pretoria: The Inter-Ministerial Committee on Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (IMC on GBVF) has approved a Comprehensive Emergency Strategy aimed at swiftly bringing the perpetrators responsible for the murders of nine women in Ekurhuleni, Gauteng, to justice.
According to South African Government News Agency, the IMC co-chairperson, Minister in the Presidency for Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities, Sindisiwe Chikunga, announced the strategy during a media briefing in Pretoria on Sunday. The Committee convened on Thursday to receive a briefing and consider recommendations from the National Joint Operational and Intelligence Structure (NATJOINTS) on efforts to promptly identify and apprehend those responsible for the killings in the Ekurhuleni Metro of Gauteng Province.
The IMC has approved the implementation of a Comprehensive Emergency Strategy, which aligns with the key elements of the National Strategic Plan to combat GBVF. These elements include Prevention and Rebuilding Social Cohesion, Law Enforcement, Protection, Safety and Justice, and Victim and Survivor Centred Support. Moreover, the multidisciplinary specialised team tasked with investigating the murders has been elevated for coordination by the Deputy National Commissioner: Detective Services.
Chikunga highlighted that of the nine recovered bodies, one remains unidentified with no missing person case reported. The IMC encourages individuals to check on their female relatives in Ekurhuleni, especially those in Kempton Park, Kwa-Thema, and Tembisa, and to report any missing persons at their nearest police station without delay. Families are advised to provide recent photographs, descriptions, and any information that may assist investigators.
Community members with information related to the murders are urged to contact Warrant Officer Elvis Manyike at 082 465 7249 or the South African Police Service Crime Stop number at 08600 10111. Chikunga emphasized the importance of reporting information directly to the police rather than sharing it on social media or informal platforms, as this could cause additional trauma to families and compromise ongoing investigations.
The Department of Social Development has initiated psycho-social support for the families of the identified victims according to their needs. Chikunga underscored that each of the murdered women was a person of equal dignity, with aspirations and a rightful place in society. The government stands with the affected families and is committed to providing necessary support while pursuing justice.
Members of the public can report GBV incidents and access support by contacting the Gender-Based Violence Command Centre at 0800 428 428.