MEDIA STATEMENT
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CSUCSA CALLS FOR A NATIONAL COMMUNITY-BASED RESPONSE TO THE KILLING OF WOMEN IN EKURHULENI
16 September 2026
Civil Society Unmuted Coalition South Africa (CSUCSA) is deeply disturbed by the recent killings of women in Ekurhuleni and extends its deepest condolences to the families and loved ones of the victims.
The discovery of multiple women's bodies across Ekurhuleni in recent weeks has once again exposed the devastating reality of violence against women in South Africa. While investigations are ongoing and authorities have cautioned against speculation about whether the cases are connected, the loss of these women's lives demands an urgent and collective response.
CSUCSA welcomes the intensified investigation by the South African Police Service (SAPS), including the deployment of specialised investigative resources, and the direction that these cases be prioritised.
However, we cannot continue to respond to violence against women only after women have lost their lives.
FROM MOURNING TO PREVENTION
South Africa needs to move beyond periodic campaigns and moments of national outrage towards sustained, community-based prevention and protection programmes.
The responsibility for keeping women safe cannot rest with women themselves.
It requires communities to organise, institutions to cooperate and men to take responsibility for challenging violence and harmful behaviours.
CSUCSA therefore calls for stronger and sustained collaboration between:
- Community Policing Forums;
- Neighbourhood watches;
- SAPS and municipal safety structures;
- Faith-based organisations;
- Traditional and community leaders;
- Women's and youth organisations;
- NPOs and community-based organisations;
- Schools and institutions of learning;
- Social workers and victim-support services; and
- Men and boys' organisations.
These structures must work together before violence occurs, identifying risks, strengthening community safety, supporting survivors and creating environments in which women and girls can live without fear.
RENEWING THE CONSCIENCE OF OUR COMMUNITIES
CSUCSA believes that the fight against GBVF must also become a process of renewing the conscience and humanity of our communities.
We need to rebuild a culture in which the life and dignity of every woman and girl are respected.
Faith communities can play an important role through regular community prayers, reflection and practical action. Monthly services dedicated to peace, safety and the prevention of GBVF can become platforms for community mobilisation, while remaining connected to professional support, policing and survivor services.
Prayer must be accompanied by action.
Community members must know where to report abuse. Young people must be engaged. Men must be part of prevention. Women must have a meaningful voice in community safety structures. Unsafe public spaces must be identified and addressed.
WOMEN, PEACE AND SECURITY
CSUCSA's Peace, Security and Social Cohesion work must intentionally place Women, Peace and Security at the centre of community interventions.
Women must not only be seen as victims requiring protection. They are also peacebuilders, leaders, organisers, mediators and agents of social cohesion.
CSUCSA will therefore advocate for sustainable community programmes that promote:
PREVENTION – identifying and addressing risks before violence occurs.
PROTECTION – strengthening community mechanisms that protect women and girls.
PARTICIPATION – ensuring women's meaningful participation in peace, security, governance and community decision-making.
RESPONSE – strengthening referral pathways between communities, SAPS, health, social development, legal and psychosocial services.
HEALING AND SOCIAL COHESION – supporting communities to confront violence, rebuild trust and restore human dignity.
WOMEN'S SAFETY BEFORE, DURING AND AFTER THE 2026 LOCAL GOVERNMENT ELECTIONS
As South Africa moves towards the 2026 Local Government Elections, CSUCSA believes that the safety and meaningful participation of women must be deliberately protected.
Women must be able to participate in voter education, community mobilisation, political and civic activities, public meetings and election processes without intimidation, harassment or violence.
CSUCSA will therefore explore a Women, Peace, Security and Safety Initiative focused on community safety, early warning, referral mechanisms, women's participation and post-election community healing.
Women's safety cannot be an election-period campaign.
It must become a permanent community priority.
CSUCSA TO JOIN NATIONAL CIVIL SOCIETY MOBILISATION
CSUCSA confirms its support for the national civil-society mobilisation planned for Friday and calls on its structures, members, partners and communities to participate peacefully and responsibly.
We encourage those participating to wear black as a symbol of mourning, solidarity and remembrance for women and girls whose lives have been lost to violence.
But CSUCSA emphasises that the march must not be the end of the mobilisation.
It must become a starting point for sustained community action.
FROM MOURNING TO ACTION
CSUCSA will engage its national, provincial and community structures to develop a sustainable Women, Peace, Security and Social Cohesion Programme, with community safety and GBVF prevention as key priorities.
As part of this commitment, CSUCSA will launch the Women, Peace, Security and Social Cohesion Campaign, preceded by training for CSUCSA national and provincial leads from 20 to 23 September 2026.
This training will strengthen the capacity of CSUCSA structures to implement coordinated community-based interventions and contribute to building sustainable peace within communities.
We call on government, civil society, faith communities, community safety structures, traditional leaders, the private sector and ordinary citizens to work together to build communities where women are safe.
We cannot continue to mourn women after they have been killed.
We must organise our communities to keep women safe while they are alive.
FROM MOURNING TO ACTION
FROM SILENCE TO COMMUNITY RESPONSIBILITY
FROM FEAR TO SAFETY
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ISSUED BY:
CIVIL SOCIETY UNMUTED COALITION SOUTH AFRICA (CSUCSA)
CYNTHIA CHISHIMBA
NATIONAL CHAIRPERSON
WOMEN, PEACE, SECURITY AND SOCIAL COHESION
FOR ENQUIRIES:
1. APOSTLE BONGI THUSI
NATIONAL WOMEN & GENDER CHAIRPERSON
CIVIL SOCIETY UNMUTED COALITION SOUTH AFRICA (CSUCSA)
Mobile: 082 509 1195
Email:
2. BANDILE MDLALOSE
DEPUTY SECRETARY GENERAL
CIVIL SOCIETY UNMUTED COALITION SOUTH AFRICA (CSUCSA)
Mobile: 063 807 7244
Email:
