The bodies of seven women have been found around Johannesburg's international airport, five of them in the past week, prompting an outpouring of fear, grief and anger over the lack of progress in tackling femicide in South Africa.
Key facts
- Seven women's bodies have been discovered around Johannesburg's international airport.
- Five of the bodies were found in the past week.
- Elizabeth 'Tsontso' Moselakgomo, 38, went missing after a run on 9 September and her body was found on Saturday.
- Her disappearance went viral after her eight-year-old daughter alerted relatives.
The discovery of the bodies of seven women around Johannesburg’s international airport, including five in the past week, has prompted an outpouring of fear, grief and anger over a lack of progress in tackling femicide, according to the Guardian.
Among the victims was Elizabeth ‘Tsontso’ Moselakgomo, a 38-year-old who went missing after going for a run on 9 September. When she did not return, her eight-year-old daughter alerted relatives, who contacted the police.
Moselakgomo’s body was found on Saturday and identified by relatives on Monday, the Guardian reported. News of her disappearance had gone viral before her body was discovered.
The string of killings near one of South Africa’s busiest transport hubs has intensified public concern about the safety of women, with the phrase ‘we are prey’ capturing the sense of vulnerability expressed in the wake of the discoveries.
The cases have renewed scrutiny of authorities’ response to femicide, a persistent and widely documented problem in the country, and have fuelled frustration over what many see as insufficient action to protect women and hold perpetrators accountable.
Why it matters
Femicide is a long-standing and severe problem in South Africa, and the discovery of multiple bodies in a short period near a major airport has heightened fears about women's safety. Public anger over the killings reflects broader frustration with the pace of official efforts to address gender-based violence.
Frequently asked questions
How many women's bodies were found near Johannesburg airport?
Seven women's bodies have been discovered around Johannesburg's international airport, including five found in the past week, according to the Guardian.
Who was Elizabeth 'Tsontso' Moselakgomo?
She was a 38-year-old woman who went missing after going for a run on 9 September. Her body was found on Saturday and identified by relatives on Monday. Her eight-year-old daughter had alerted relatives when she did not return.
Why has the discovery caused such a strong reaction?
The killings have fuelled fear, grief and anger over what many see as a lack of progress in tackling femicide in South Africa.