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South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has ordered the country’s law enforcement agencies to prioritise investigations into the recent killings of women in and around Kempton Park, Gauteng.
Ramaphosa said no stone would be left unturned to establish what happened and bring those responsible to justice.
“I speak for all of us as I extend my deepest condolences to all families and communities affected by the killing of women recently found in and around Kempton Park,” the President said in a statement on Tuesday.
“These incidents are causing fear and uncertainty in our communities, and especially among women.”
Police have been investigating a series of deaths in the Ekurhuleni area over the past two months.
The discoveries have included bodies found in Kempton Park and surrounding parts of the East Rand, with several victims reportedly found partially clothed and showing signs of injuries.
The latest discoveries have raised concerns that some of the cases could be connected.
However, police have not confirmed that the deaths were committed by a single perpetrator or that a serial killer is operating in the area.
South African police are investigating the deaths of seven women whose bodies were discovered over the past two months in and around Ekurhuleni, according to Reuters.
Investigators are considering whether the cases involve one perpetrator, multiple perpetrators or unrelated crimes.
Police have also said that similarities have been observed in some of the cases, including the circumstances in which some bodies were found.
But Gauteng police have cautioned against reaching conclusions before investigators establish the facts.
The Acting Police Minister, Firoz Cachalia, was due to meet the investigation team on Tuesday to receive an update on the probe’s progress, the evidence gathered, and the measures being taken to identify and apprehend those responsible. He said investigators must establish whether the cases are linked.
Ramaphosa said he had spoken with the Police Minister and the Acting National Police Commissioner, who briefed him on the investigation.
“I have directed that these cases be prioritised and that no stone be left unturned in bringing those responsible to justice,” he said.
“Our law enforcement agencies are undertaking this work in partnership with citizens, on whom we depend for any information that may help end these attacks on women.”
The President also called on South Africans to defend the safety and dignity of women and girls.
“As a nation, we must stand up for the rights, safety and dignity of women and girls,” Ramaphosa said.
The killings have renewed attention on South Africa’s broader crisis of gender-based violence and femicide.
South Africa has a high rate of violent crime, while police statistics have consistently recorded large numbers of crimes against women.
However, the South African Police Service (SAPS) has acknowledged problems with some of its disaggregated crime data on women and children.
For the Kempton Park investigation, authorities have appealed to residents and families of missing people to provide information that could help identify victims and establish what happened.
