20/09/2026
MEDIA STATEMENT
LEKGUTSA MBELE FOUNDATION CONDEMNS THE KILLING OF WOMEN AND CALLS FOR URGENT ACTION AGAINST GBVF
20 SEPTEMBER 2026
The Lekgutsa Mbele Foundation expresses its deepest sadness, anger and concern over the continued killing of women and the persistent scourge of Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (GBVF) in South Africa.
We strongly condemn the brutal killing of women and reject any form of violence, abuse, intimidation, harassment or discrimination against women and girls.
Women are not targets. Women are not disposable. Women are not statistics. Women are human beings whose lives, dignity, freedom and safety must be protected.
The recent deaths of women in and around Ekurhuleni have once again exposed the devastating reality that many women continue to face violence and fear in their communities. The families left behind are carrying an unbearable pain that no family should ever have to experience.
The Lekgutsa Mbele Foundation extends its heartfelt condolences to every family, friend and community mourning the loss of a woman or girl as a result of violence.
ENOUGH IS ENOUGH
We cannot continue to mourn women after they have been killed while failing to confront the conditions that allow violence against women to persist.
We call for:
- Urgent and thorough investigations into every killing and disappearance of women.
- Swift justice and accountability for perpetrators, through due process of law.
- Greater police visibility and effective community safety measures, particularly in areas where women are vulnerable.
- Improved lighting, surveillance and safer public spaces so women can walk, work, exercise and travel without fear.
- Stronger support services for survivors and families, including counselling, protection and access to justice.
- Greater accountability from institutions responsible for protecting women and children.
- Active participation by men and boys in challenging misogyny, abuse and harmful behaviour.
- Stronger community action, where residents refuse to protect, excuse or remain silent about perpetrators.
The safety of women cannot become a national conversation only after another woman has been murdered.
TO THE MEN OF SOUTH AFRICA
We call upon men to take a firm and unequivocal stand against violence against women.
Real strength is not found in intimidation, control or violence.
Real strength is protecting dignity.
Real strength is respecting women.
Real strength is speaking out.
Real strength is refusing to protect perpetrators.
Real strength is teaching our boys that violence against women is never acceptable.
Silence must never become a shield for perpetrators.
TO OUR COMMUNITIES
We urge communities to look after one another, report suspicious activity and provide information that can assist law-enforcement agencies.
At the same time, we must build communities where women are free to live their lives without being told that their safety depends on changing how they dress, where they go, when they travel or whether they walk alone.
The responsibility for ending violence against women belongs to all of us — families, communities, men, women, civil society, institutions and the state.
Government has also called on communities to cooperate with law-enforcement agencies and provide information that may assist investigations into the recent killings.
WE REMEMBER THE WOMEN. WE STAND WITH THE FAMILIES. WE DEMAND ACTION.
Every woman who is killed leaves behind a story, a family, dreams and people who loved her.
We must refuse to allow their lives to become mere statistics.
The Lekgutsa Mbele Foundation stands firmly with survivors, families and communities affected by GBVF.
We call for a South Africa where women and girls can walk freely, work freely, exercise freely, travel freely and live freely — without fear of becoming the next victim.
Enough is enough.
Stop the killing of women.
Stop Gender-Based Violence.
Protect women. Protect girls. Protect our communities.
Break the silence. Report abuse. Stand against perpetrators.
A WOMAN'S LIFE IS NOT A CRIME SCENE.
A WOMAN'S LIFE IS A HUMAN LIFE.
A WOMAN'S LIFE MATTERS.
Issued by:
Lekgutsa Mbele Foundation
