Cyril Ramaphosa’s golf outing sparks outrage as SA reels from deadly women’s killings

President Cyril Ramaphosa has faced a wave of public backlash after being spotted on a golf course while the nation grapples with a series of brutal killings targeting women. The timing of the outing has drawn sharp criticism from citizens and activists who argue that the President’s focus should be entirely on the escalating crisis of gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF) in South Africa.

The outrage follows a string of tragic deaths in the Ekurhuleni area, where at least 12 women have been killed in recent weeks. Police have been investigating the possibility of a serial killer, though authorities have stated that investigations remain ongoing and no definitive link has been established yet.

The violence inflicted upon the women of South Africa is a source of profound pain and national shame. The nation is angry. The women of South Africa are angry.

In response to the mounting pressure, President Ramaphosa addressed the nation, promising that the government would implement a multi-disciplinary strategy to tackle the scourge of violence. He emphasized that police have identified persons of interest and are working through forensic evidence, cellphone records, and other leads to ensure that the cases do not “go cold.”

Despite these assurances, many South Africans have taken to social media and public forums to express their frustration, viewing the President’s leisure activities as insensitive given the gravity of the situation. Critics argue that the leadership’s response has been insufficient to address the systemic nature of the violence that continues to plague the country.