South African President Ramaphosa unveils new measures to tackle violence against women

JOHANNESBURG (AP) — South African President Cyril Ramaphosa announced new measures Tuesday to combat gender-based violence following the killing of at least 11 women in Ekurhuleni, east of Johannesburg, since July.

Ramaphosa also ordered police and the National Prosecuting Authority to review within 90 days unresolved cases involving murders, attempted murders, rapes and other gender-based violence cases, he said in a televised national address on Tuesday.

The recent spate of killings in Ekurhuleni has frightened residents, particularly after the 11th victim’s body was discovered Sunday. The area remains on high alert while authorities investigate whether a serial killer or killers are responsible.

Ramaphosa said four suspects have been arrested.

“Women change their routes home, avoid going out at night and warn one another about dangerous places and dangerous men. We have placed the burden of male violence on women,” said Ramaphosa.

“This cannot be accepted as a normal part of life in South Africa. We must confront an uncomfortable truth. What we have done has not been enough.”

He said the audits would be followed by funded plans to address the identified hotspots and backlogs in solving gender-based violence crimes. He said a high-level investigating team had been assigned to investigate the Ekurhuleni killings.

South Africa recorded 5,427 homicides from April to July, according to the country’s official crime statistics.