Kempton Park Killings Spark Urgent Call for Action

South Africa’s ongoing gender‑based violence (GBV) crisis has taken a grim turn in the eastern suburbs of Kempton Park and Olifantsfontein. In the past month, five women’s bodies have been recovered, reigniting public outrage and prompting the advocacy group Women For Change to demand immediate, concrete action.

A disturbing pattern of femicide

The latest discoveries are part of a broader surge in femicide across the country. Since the government declared GBV a national disaster in 2023, official statistics show that more than 1,800 women have been murdered in South Africa each year, with the majority of cases still unsolved. The Kempton Park killings underscore how the crisis is not confined to any single region; it is a systemic failure that affects every community.

What makes the Kempton Park cases especially alarming is the proximity of the victims to one another. All five women were found within a relatively small geographic area, suggesting a possible link between the incidents, whether through a serial perpetrator or a shared vulnerability such as unsafe public spaces and inadequate policing.

The tragic story of Elizabeth “Tsotso” Moselakgomo

Among the victims is Elizabeth Moselakgomo, a 28‑year‑old runner known locally as “Tsotso.” She vanished while out for a morning jog last week, prompting a frantic search by friends, family, and local authorities. Her body was later identified at a mortuary in Kempton Park, confirming the worst fears of her loved ones.

Elizabeth’s death has become a rallying point for activists because it highlights how ordinary activities—like jogging in a neighbourhood park—can become deadly for women. Her story is now being used to illustrate the gap between policy rhetoric and everyday safety.

Women For Change’s blunt assessment

Merlize Jogiat, operations manager at Women For Change, voiced a stark criticism of the current approach to GBV. “We spend millions on conferences and speeches about gender‑based violence, yet the women on the streets feel no improvement,” she said. Jogiat emphasized that the focus must shift from discussion to implementation, noting that many women still face police stations that dismiss their complaints and send them back to confront their perpetrators.

According to a recent report by the South African Police Service (SAPS), only 32% of reported GBV cases result in a successful prosecution. The backlog of cases, limited forensic resources, and a shortage of specialized investigators contribute to this dismal figure. Women For Change argues that without structural reforms—such as dedicated GBV courts, faster forensic turnaround, and community policing initiatives—policy declarations remain hollow.

Government response and the limits of disaster status

When the president declared GBV a national disaster, the move was intended to unlock emergency funding, streamline inter‑departmental coordination, and fast‑track interventions. In practice, however, the disaster declaration has yielded mixed results. While some municipalities have increased funding for women’s shelters, many still lack basic security measures like street lighting and safe transport options.

Critics point out that the disaster status does not automatically translate into legislative change. For instance, the Domestic Violence Act of 1998 still lacks provisions for rapid restraining orders in high‑risk cases, and the National Strategic Plan on GBV has been criticized for vague timelines and insufficient monitoring mechanisms.

What needs to happen next?

Women For Change outlines several priority actions:

• Rapid response units: Deploy specialised police teams trained in GBV investigations to high‑risk areas like Kempton Park.
• Community safety audits: Conduct systematic assessments of public spaces, improving lighting, CCTV coverage, and safe transport routes.
• Victim‑centred legal pathways: Establish fast‑track courts that prioritize GBV cases, reducing the time between reporting and trial.
• Data transparency: Publish real‑time statistics on GBV cases, convictions, and resource allocation to hold authorities accountable.
• Public education campaigns: Move beyond one‑off conferences to sustained community workshops that teach by‑standers how to intervene safely.

Implementing these measures requires political will, budgetary commitment, and, crucially, a shift in societal attitudes that often normalise violence against women. As Jogiat stresses, “We must cut the endless conversation and turn it into decisive action that saves lives.”

Conclusion: From rhetoric to reality

The spate of Kempton Park killings is a stark reminder that South Africa’s gender‑based violence emergency is far from resolved. While the government’s disaster declaration signalled urgency, the lived reality for women like Elizabeth Moselakgomo remains one of fear and vulnerability. Advocacy groups, civil society, and ordinary citizens must now press for tangible reforms that move beyond speeches and funding pledges. Only then can the tragic pattern of femicide be broken, and the promise of safety for every South African woman finally be fulfilled.