​Last Friday, 15 August 2025, the community of Katlehong raised concerns about the increasing number of murders of women and girls in the area. This was highlighted during a dialogue at DH Williams Hall as the Gauteng Department of Social Development, Eastern Corridor, observed Women’s Month.
Over 200 community members, including stakeholders such as the South African Police Service (SAPS), Ekurhuleni Metro Police Department (EMPD), Social Workers, and Non-Profit Organisations, took to the streets to raise awareness about Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (GBVF).

According to a community member, last month they were shocked to learn of the death of a woman who was found in an open veld at Phadima Section with injuries and bruises on her body. One community member, who cannot be named to protect his identity, expressed dissatisfaction and disappointment with law enforcement.

He argued that the police do not always respond in time when incidents of this nature occur and called for swift, coordinated responses as well as harsher punishments for perpetrators.

Eastern Corridor Social Work Supervisor in the GBV Unit, Mokhali Thoola, explained that the unit assists victims with court orders, offers counselling, and places survivors in shelters for abused women and children.

“As the Department, we have a GBV Unit rendering services to women. Furthermore, we have partnered with NPOs to ensure that services are always accessible to victims,” Thoola said.

“These services include, but are not limited to, GBV shelters, psychosocial services, Thuthuzela Care Centres, and Victim-Friendly Rooms.”

Observed under the theme ‘Building Resilient Economies for All’, the event aimed to address the importance of financial inclusion for women, the value of the care economy, and the role of Gender-Based Violence and Femicide as a barrier to empowerment.