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South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has declared the killings of women in and around Kempton Park a national crisis, directing government and law enforcement agencies to give the investigation the highest level of attention.
Deputy Government Spokesperson William Baloyi said this on Wednesday, adding that a multidisciplinary specialised team has been deployed to identify and apprehend those responsible.
“President Ramaphosa declared the murders as a national crisis and instructed that the investigation receive the highest level of attention from government and law enforcement agencies,” Baloyi said.
He said the government extends its “deepest condolences” to the families and communities affected by the killings, adding that the specialised team was “working around the clock to identify and apprehend those responsible.”
The development follows the discovery of the bodies of eight women in and around Kempton Park and other parts of Ekurhuleni in recent weeks.
South African police have established a multidisciplinary investigation team to probe the killings and announced a R400,000 reward for information that could lead to those responsible.
Authorities have cautioned against drawing conclusions about whether the cases are connected while investigations continue.
Baloyi said creating safer communities required cooperation between law enforcement agencies, local authorities, businesses, schools, civil society and residents.
“As this work continues, it is important to recognize that building safer communities is a shared responsibility,” he said.
He urged residents to use established community safety structures, including community policing forums and neighbourhood watches, and to work closely with the South African Police Service and local authorities.
Baloyi also called on residents to report suspicious activities, including illicit drug dealing and use, illegal firearms, gender-based violence and femicide, and the abuse of children and elderly people.
“This means communities must remain vigilant about the activities occurring around them and report suspicious behavior to the police,” he said.
He further urged residents to support vulnerable members of their communities, particularly women, children and elderly people.
“If you see something, speak up. Do not look away,” Baloyi said.
The government is also appealing for information that could assist the investigation and has warned the public against spreading unverified information that could compromise the probe or cause further distress to the affected families.
Anyone with information about the killings, or anyone searching for a missing relative or friend, has been asked to contact Warrant Officer Elvis Mayenge on 082-465-7249 or visit the nearest police station.
Watch the video here:
🎥 WATCH | Deputy Government Spokesperson William Baloyi speaks on the tragic killings of women in and around Kempton Park.
He says President Ramaphosa has declared the murders a national crisis and directed that the investigation receive the highest level of attention from… pic.twitter.com/w4xrDXejnu
— South African Government (@GovernmentZA) September 16, 2026
