South Africa Probes 8 Women's Deaths Near Johannesburg Airport as Femicide Anger Surges
Updated
Updated · The Guardian · Sep 17
South Africa Probes 8 Women's Deaths Near Johannesburg Airport as Femicide Anger Surges
3 articles · Updated · The Guardian · Sep 17
Summary
Eight women's bodies have now been folded into one investigation around Johannesburg's OR Tambo airport area, including five found in the past week and runner Elizabeth Moselakgomo, 38, whose body was identified on Monday.
Police linked four bodies found since 15 July in Kempton Park, then added two found on Monday and Tuesday in Olifantsfontein, another found southeast of the area, and a 7 September case newly included on Wednesday.
Detectives initially examined a serial-killer angle, but police spokesperson Athlenda Mathe said on Monday there was still no evidence confirming that; one suspect — the boyfriend of the first victim found in July — is in custody.
President Cyril Ramaphosa ordered police to prioritize the murders, but warnings for women not to walk or run alone drew backlash from campaigners who said women were already taking precautions and the state was shifting responsibility.
The case has reignited outrage in a country where women were killed at a rate of 12.2 per 100,000 in 2022 — nearly six times the global rate — despite Ramaphosa declaring gender-based violence a national crisis in 2025.
Are the eight women found murdered near Johannesburg's airport victims of a serial killer, or a tragic symptom of systemic violence?
Why did it take a viral social media campaign for authorities to fully investigate the cluster of female bodies near OR Tambo?
Femicide Emergency: Inside South Africa’s National Disaster as 8 Women Murdered in Ekurhuleni Signal a Systemic Crisis
Overview
Between July and September 2026, the discovery of eight murdered women in Ekurhuleni triggered a major police investigation and intense public debate about a possible serial killer. As SAPS formed a multidisciplinary team, safety advisories warning women not to walk alone sparked public anger, with citizens criticizing authorities for shifting responsibility onto victims. In response to the violence, local communities mobilized grassroots safety efforts, while national outrage led to mass protests and a petition signed by over a million people. This pressure pushed the government to declare gender-based violence a national disaster, but ongoing administrative failures and resource gaps continue to hinder real safety for women.