NCGBVF Urges Gauteng Families to Aid Body Identification

The National Council on Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (NCGBVF) has appealed to families in Gauteng, South Africa, to come forward and assist with DNA identification of unidentified women's bodies discovered in Ekurhuleni since July 2026, which is likely a typographical error for 2023 or the current year.

This appeal by the NCGBVF specifically requests families with missing loved ones in Gauteng to contact the South African Police Service (SAPS) and the Gauteng Department of Health to facilitate the DNA identification process for eight unidentified female bodies found in Ekurhuleni, many of which reportedly showed signs of sexual violence. The Council expressed profound concern over these killings, extending condolences to the victims' families, including that of Elizabeth "Tsontso" Moselakgomo. The NCGBVF emphasized that "no woman should be buried unnamed" and called for thorough investigations, timely forensic processes, and adequately resourced prosecutions. While acknowledging an arrest in one case and the deployment of a multidisciplinary investigative team by SAPS, the Council stressed the need for comprehensive follow-through. SAPS, in turn, reiterated the crucial message that there is no waiting period for reporting a missing person.

The legal significance of this appeal is profound, highlighting critical systemic challenges within South Africa's criminal justice system concerning missing persons, forensic identification, and the effective investigation and prosecution of gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF). For legal professionals, it underscores the indispensable role of robust forensic evidence in securing convictions and the urgent need for efficient inter-agency cooperation between law enforcement, health departments, and prosecuting authorities. The call for timely forensic processes and adequately resourced prosecutions points to potential bottlenecks and resource constraints that can severely impede the course of justice for victims and their families. This situation also brings into sharp focus the constitutional right to dignity, even in death, and the state's obligation to ensure proper identification and investigation.

This situation operates within the framework of several key South African legal instruments. The Criminal Procedure Act 51 of 1977 governs criminal investigations and the admissibility of evidence, including DNA. The South African Police Service Act 68 of 1995 outlines the duties of the police, which include investigating crimes and locating missing persons. Forensic pathology services fall under the National Health Act 61 of 2003 and related regulations. Crucially, the DNA Act 37 of 2004 established the National DNA Database, which is central to the identification efforts being called for. The NCGBVF itself operates within the broader National Strategic Plan on Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (NSP-GBVF), a multi-sectoral framework designed to coordinate national efforts against GBVF. The key parties involved are the NCGBVF, SAPS, the Gauteng Department of Health, the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), and the families of missing persons and victims.

Attorneys, particularly those involved in criminal defense, prosecution, or human rights, should be acutely aware of the challenges in forensic evidence management and victim identification. They must advise clients on the critical importance of immediately reporting missing persons to SAPS, emphasizing that there is no waiting period. Practitioners should also closely monitor the effectiveness of multidisciplinary investigative teams and the allocation of resources to forensic services and the NPA, as these factors directly impact the ability to secure convictions and ensure justice in GBVF cases. The NCGBVF's intention to seek a formal briefing from authorities suggests ongoing oversight and potential for policy adjustments, which practitioners should track for their implications on legal practice and client representation.