Men’s general attitudes towards women have come under the spotlight in South Africa, where the nation is reeling from shock following the recent discovery of the bodies of nine women in Kempton Park, Ekurhuleni, in Gauteng province.
On Friday, several marches were held to the local police station, where protesters demanded swift action from law enforcement agencies, as well as measures to protect women, children and other vulnerable groups.
“If you look at these crimes and the way they have been committed, you can see that they were committed by men. That’s why we are here to say to our fellow men that women need to be protected, not attacked. It’s us men who can bring an end to this madness,” said Reverend Chris Mathebula of the Hope Restoration Church.
While police have not released many details about the investigations into the recent killings, there is widespread public concern about violence against women in South Africa. This concern is reflected in official crime statistics and ongoing reports of women being killed, including by people known to them, such as intimate partners and family members.
Founder and Chairperson of the rights group Black Women Caucus, Boitumelo Moutloatse, said the recent killings reflect a broader societal challenge.
“It’s not a crisis of just a few communities or the district. It’s a societal crisis that has no place in Africa, or on our planet. We came here really for three demands: justice, accountability and action.
“These are not isolated events. They don’t just happen here in Ekurhuleni. We are seeing increased reporting across the country from various communities where women’s bodies are being unearthed, literally.
“It is a painful reminder of the extent of the scourge of violence we have in this country.”
A man has been arrested in connection with one of the murders. However, authorities have yet to confirm whether there is a link between the nine killings, while investigations remain ongoing.