SERI: Kempton Park Femicide Police Action Demanded

• A coalition of organizations, including SERI and Abahlali baseMjondolo, marched to Kempton Park police station demanding urgent action against femicide after the 12th woman was murdered in Ekurhuleni.
• Protesters delivered a memorandum calling for a public report on murder investigations, a well-funded women-led GBV task team, and a 24-hour victim support room at the Kempton Park police station.
• Residents expressed profound fear, citing limited visible policing, slow response times, and pervasive gun violence in their communities, with one resident locking herself in by 7 PM daily.
• SERI Director Nomzamo Zondo attributed the high rates of violence to inadequate policing and poor living conditions in townships and informal settlements, vowing to hold officials accountable for unfulfilled promises.
• The SAPS announced additional personnel for the Kempton Park station and encouraged anonymous reporting, while the Ekurhuleni mayor had previously promised increased surveillance and improved infrastructure.

The ongoing crisis has prompted civil society groups to demand not only transparent investigations into the murders of women since July but also the establishment of a well-funded, women-led gender-based violence task team and a 24-hour victim support facility at the Kempton Park police station.

A coalition of civil society organizations, including the Socio-Economic Rights Institute of South Africa (SERI), Abahlali baseMjondolo, and Cry of the Xcluded, recently converged on the Kempton Park police station to demand immediate and effective intervention in the escalating femicide crisis gripping Ekurhuleni. The demonstration followed the tragic murder of a twelfth woman in the region, intensifying calls for robust police action to curb the pervasive violence.

The protesting groups presented a memorandum outlining critical demands to the authorities. Central to their appeal was the urgent need for a public report detailing the status of investigations into the murders of numerous women that have occurred since July. They also advocated for the establishment of a comprehensively funded and adequately equipped women-led gender-based violence (GBV) task team, alongside the creation of a dedicated 24-hour victim support room at the Kempton Park police station, emphasizing the need for accessible and specialized assistance for survivors.

The march underscored the profound fear and insecurity experienced by residents in affected communities. Cibi Sonkosi, a Soweto resident, articulated her personal terror, stating she now locks herself indoors by 7 PM daily and avoids answering knocks at her door due to a pervasive lack of trust. Her participation in the protest was driven by a desperate plea for police intervention before the wave of killings reaches Soweto, highlighting the widespread anxiety.

Simon Mngwarwane-Dube, from Tembisa, painted a grim picture of his community, where visible policing remains scarce despite prior assurances of intensified efforts. He described police response times as severely delayed, noting that an incident at night might only see officers arrive the following day. Mngwarwane-Dube further revealed the alarming prevalence of gun violence in Tembisa, where gunshots are informally referred to as the 'national anthem,' forcing residents to pray daily for their survival. Nomzamo Zondo, director of SERI, linked this high prevalence of violence to inadequate policing in townships and informal settlements, compounded by the challenging living conditions faced by residents.

In the wake of mounting pressure, official bodies have offered varied responses. Two weeks prior to the protest, Ekurhuleni Mayor Nkosindiphile Xhakaza had announced plans to increase surveillance and address related infrastructure issues, such as grass cutting and streetlights, in an effort to improve safety. However, inquiries directed to the mayor's office regarding these commitments did not yield a response.

The South African Police Service (SAPS), in a statement, indicated that its head office had augmented the capacity of the Kempton Park police station by deploying additional members. The SAPS also encouraged members of the public to report criminal activities and suspicious conduct anonymously via Crime Stop, providing the number 08600 10111. Despite these assurances, SERI Director Nomzamo Zondo affirmed the organization's intent to hold government officials accountable for unfulfilled promises concerning improved lighting, essential services, and policing, which were made in response to the earlier murders.

The collective action by Abahlali baseMjondolo, Cry of the Xcluded, and SERI highlights a critical demand for enhanced South Africa police accountability in addressing the femicide crisis. The call for a public report on the SAPS Ekurhuleni femicide investigation status underscores the need for transparency and effective follow-through on cases involving violence against women. The proposed women-led gender-based violence task team aims to ensure that responses are sensitive, comprehensive, and survivor-centric.

The ongoing crisis has prompted civil society groups to demand not only transparent investigations into the murders of women since July but also the establishment of a well-funded, women-led gender-based violence task team and a 24-hour victim support facility at the Kempton Park police station. These demands collectively represent a plea for a more robust, empathetic, and accountable state response to gender-based violence, moving beyond reactive measures to proactive prevention and victim support, as advocated by Nomzamo Zondo and other activists working to combat gender-based violence.

This article underscores escalating public and civil society demands for police accountability and effective state intervention in South Africa's femicide crisis. Lawyers practicing human rights, public interest litigation, or criminal law should monitor these developments for potential legal challenges against state negligence or to advise clients on community safety and social justice advocacy.

Source: Reporting based on GroundUp's original coverage.