South Africa's Femicide Crisis Sparks Outrage
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South Africa’s Femicide Crisis: A National Shame, Not a Personal Problem
The discovery of seven women’s bodies around Johannesburg’s international airport has sparked widespread outrage over the lack of progress in tackling femicide in South Africa. Beneath this gruesome reality lies a disturbing truth: the government and police are responding to these murders as isolated incidents rather than acknowledging systemic violence.
For years, women have called on the South African government to take gender-based violence seriously, but their pleas have been ignored. In 2025, hundreds of women protested on the eve of the G20 summit in Johannesburg, only to be met with empty promises from President Cyril Ramaphosa. Since then, nothing has changed.
The police’s advice to women to avoid secluded spaces and travel or exercise in groups is a classic example of victim-blaming. Authorities seem to believe that women can simply stay safe by being more vigilant, rather than confronting the root causes of femicide. This approach ignores South Africa’s alarming rate of femicide: over 5,500 women were murdered between 2024 and 2025.
Femicide is not just a personal problem that individual women can solve by taking precautions; it’s a national shame that requires systemic change. The identification of Elizabeth Moselakgomo’s body has triggered an outpouring of grief from her community, but it also highlights the human cost of femicide. As Sakane Mokoena so eloquently put it: “We are prey.” This is not just a sentiment; it’s a stark reality that women in South Africa face every day.
The advocacy group Women For Change has been vocal about the need for men to take responsibility for violence against women and children. Bafana Khumalo, co-executive director of Sonke Gender Justice, echoed this sentiment: “When some of these things happen in our presence, most of us men tend to look the other way.” This is a critical moment for South African men to step up and take responsibility for their role in perpetuating violence against women.
As the investigation into the latest murders continues, it’s essential that we focus on systemic changes required to address femicide. We must hold the government accountable for its promises, provide adequate resources to police and social services, and work towards a culture of consent and respect. The outpouring of grief and outrage following Moselakgomo’s death is just the beginning; we must use this moment to push for real change rather than simply paying lip service to the issue.
As Mokoena said: “Let’s get this out there and figure out exactly what is happening to women.” It’s time for South Africa to confront its femicide crisis head-on, rather than treating it as a series of isolated incidents. Only then can we begin to address the root causes of violence against women and work towards a safer future for all.
Reader Views
- WAWill A. · diy renter
The article highlights the systemic nature of femicide in South Africa, but what's equally disturbing is how these cases often involve perpetrators who are well-known to their victims. It's not just a matter of women being vigilant; it's about holding accountable those who have failed to prevent or report abuse. The fact that many of these murders occur within families and intimate relationships raises questions about the role of male privilege in perpetuating violence, but also highlights the need for more effective community-based interventions that address these underlying power dynamics.
- PLPetra L. · interior stylist
The police's advice to women in South Africa to exercise caution and vigilance is not only victim-blaming, but also obscures the systemic failures that enable femicide to persist. While advocacy groups are pushing for men to take responsibility, we must also examine how societal norms and institutions perpetuate violence against women. For instance, the lack of accessible and affordable safe housing options for survivors of domestic abuse exacerbates their vulnerability. Addressing this issue requires a holistic approach that prioritizes policy reforms, community engagement, and economic empowerment of women.
- TDThe Decor Desk · editorial
The South African government's response to femicide is nothing short of appalling. While protests and condemnations continue to pour in, the underlying issue remains largely unaddressed: entrenched patriarchy and a culture that tolerates violence against women. What's strikingly absent from the conversation is a comprehensive reckoning with the role of traditional masculinity in perpetuating these crimes. Until men are held accountable for their actions – and taught to respect and value women as equals – true progress will remain elusive.