Nine women! Nine lives cut short. And now, a country once again asking how many more women have to die before simply moving through everyday life no longer comes with the fear of becoming the next victim. Police have discovered the bodies of nine women in Ekurhuleni over the past two months, with most of the victims believed to have been in their twenties and thirties. Investigations are continuing into whether the cases are connected, while memorial runs, vigils and protests have brought women together to mourn and demand answers.
Beyond the shock of these latest killings is a much bigger conversation about safety, policing and the responsibility of the state to protect people. Government has announced a specialised investigation team and an emergency strategy focused on law enforcement, safety, justice and support for victims and survivors. At the same time, activists have challenged advice that places the burden of staying safe on women themselves, arguing that women should not have to organise their lives around avoiding violence. Joining us on the line Greer Schoeman, Board member of The National Shelter Movement of South Africa