Thursday, 17 September 2026

A ninth woman’s body was found in bushes at Dawn Park, Boksburg, bringing the number of female bodies discovered across Ekurhuleni since July to nine.

Acting Police Minister Firoz Cachalia announced a high-level multidisciplinary investigative team, expanded Operation Shanela and possible surveillance cameras, but could not guarantee further killings would not occur.

Cachalia acknowledged corruption within the police, confirmed Vernon Kwanazi had been arrested, and urged the public not to judge the entire service by the actions of corrupt officers.

GBVF specialist Lisa Vetten said classifying gender-based violence as a national disaster had not addressed its entrenched causes, while Gauteng shelters had at one point been cut by almost half.

The ANC’s candidates remain excluded from the ballot in six municipalities after the Electoral Court challenge failed; the IEC said printing about 80 million ballots would begin after the 23 September ballot draw.