President Cyril Ramaphosa to Address Nation on Ekurhuleni Murders, South Africans Demands Action

• President Cyril Ramaphosa announced he would address the nation on the government's response to gender-based violence
• The announcement followed the discovery of nine women's bodies in and around Ekurhuleni over the past nine weeks
• South Africans weighed in on the president's announcement, but many were sceptical about what he would say

Byron Pillay, a Briefly News journalist, has dedicated a decade to reporting on the South African political landscape, crime, and social issues. He worked as a newspaper journalist for 10 years before transitioning to online.

GAUTENG — President Cyril Ramaphosa has pledged to address the nation within days on the government's response to gender-based violence and the ongoing investigations into a series of women's deaths in Ekurhuleni.

Ramaphosa made the announcement during his Heritage Day address at Bongolethu Sports Stadium in Oudtshoorn, Western Cape, on 24 September 2026.

Nine women's bodies were discovered in and around the Kempton Park area over a period of nine weeks, sparking fears among residents and law enforcement that a serial killer may be responsible.

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All the women were either partially dressed or fully naked when their bodies were found, and some had been sexually assaulted. The discoveries have also reignited national concern over the persistent crisis of violence against women in South Africa.

What did Ramaphosa say?

Speaking at the Heritage Day celebrations, Ramaphosa called on South Africans to collectively commit to ending gender-based violence.

"The heritage of our women is that they must be able to walk around without any fear that they will be attacked, that they will be raped, that they will be killed," he said.

"In a few days, I will address the nation on the steps that government is taking to confront gender-based violence and to update our people on the investigations into the killings of women in and around Ekurhuleni," Ramaphosa said.

The president also urged the country to treat the scourge of GBV as a generational responsibility, saying that citizens needed to make a simple declaration that violence against women will not be part of the inheritance left to the next generation of South Africans.

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South Africans react with scepticism

The announcement drew a largely critical response on social media, with many South Africans questioning whether the address would translate into meaningful action.

Mzoxolo Badi wrote:

"Is he already recovered now? He mustn't worry, man. We will accept even a WhatsApp Voice Note."

Mogale Wa Marumo asked:

"Then what about the National Commissioner of SAPS?"

Julian Reddy commented:

"He will be late and be shocked. We know the story."

Gomolemo Kent said:

"It's not like his response is going to make any difference, whether he talks or not. Watshwana."

Lungalito Gcweka predicted:

"He will say he is shocked by the number of killings."

Elna Conradie exclaimed:

"We want action, not speeches."

An in-depth look at the Ekurhuleni murders

Briefly News took a closer look at the recent murders in Ekurhuleni, where nine women's bodies were found in nine weeks.

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The discoveries sparked outrage in the country and left police with a mammoth task of trying to find those responsible

This in-depth article looks at who the victims were, when their bodies were discovered, and how police have responded to the murders.

Source: Briefly News