President Cyril Ramaphosa Declares Women’s Deaths National Crisis

Authorities in South Africa have been placed on high alert after the bodies of eight women were discovered over the past two months near Johannesburg, prompting President Cyril Ramaphosa to declare the surge in gender-based violence a national crisis.

We are in a crisis. And that this crisis demands we step up measures to protect women and girls and advance their rights.

The President emphasized that the government is committed to directing resources and attention to all parts of the country where women are under siege from gender-based violence and femicide.