Fear is changing the daily routines for women all over South Africa after the murders of nine women in Johannesburg’s East Rand.
Elizabeth Moselakgomo was among those killed. A 38-year-old runner who set off for a jog on September 9, she was found three days later, near Kempton Park, where eight other bodies had been discovered since mid-July.
Police are looking into whether the murders are connected and whether a serial killer or group of killers could be behind it. The tragedies have caused anxiety, protests, vigils, and solidarity runs around South Africa.
Nancy Masha, 39, said Moselakgomo’s death had changed how she approached her daily runs. Masha, who usually ran alone, now carries pepper spray and a knife for protection. “Our runner was brutally killed. I needed a way to protect myself because I am a woman and also a runner,”.
Masha said she had previously run a marathon with Moselakgomo, who was known to be “bubbly”. Other women have changed their routines. Chulumanco Mahamba, 31, has cut down on the number of daily walks from every day to twice a week.
She now avoids isolated routes, carries pepper spray and shares her live location with relatives before leaving home. She also sends photographs of her clothing to her loved ones.
However, some women say carrying weapons creates additional risks. Runner Hlompho Matji, 47, said women might not know how to use pepper spray or knives and could potentially have the weapons used against them. Babalwa Melitafa, 46, said she now only runs inside a gated community’s sports oval because she is afraid to run outside alone.
Concerns go beyond Johannesburg. In Cape Town, runner and mountain hiker Andiswa Siwela said the killings had made her more suspicious of strangers. She now carries pepper spray, having previously left it in her car. “We want to be free. We want to do things without fear; we want to live,” she said.
Gender-based violence is a major concern in South Africa. The government declared it a national disaster last year. The Gender-Based Violence Command Centre received 6,782 distress calls between September 1 and 16, according to government figures. That represented a 21% increase from the same period in August.
Police have arrested three people in connection with the Kempton Park killings, although authorities have not said the cases are connected. A man is being held over one killing, while two women face charges relating to another.
President Cyril Ramaphosa described the suffering of South African women as a “national shame”. He said women had the right to walk the streets at any hour without fear.
