Women For Change has questioned the Minister in the Presidency for Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities, Sindisiwe Chikunga, over the government’s response to gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF), following her visit to the site where Elizabeth ‘Tsontso’ Moselakgomo’s body was discovered.
Also see: Minister Sindiswa Chikunga shares her perception on Women’s Month
Sindisiwe visited Tsontso’s family and the Kempton Park site on Wednesday, where she laid a wreath in memory of the 38-year-old runner. Tsontso disappeared after leaving home for a run, and her body was later identified by her family.
Women For Change questions the minister
Following the minister’s visit, advocacy organisation Women For Change challenged Sindisiwe over the government’s handling of GBVF.
Women For Change linked its criticism to the ongoing concerns around violence against women and the need for stronger implementation of measures aimed at addressing GBVF.
The organisation’s remarks came as public concern intensified following the discovery of multiple women’s bodies in and around Ekurhuleni.
Where were you, @s_chikunga, for the last ten months when we needed you to implement the National Disaster Plan? https://t.co/uuB8GHoSTP
— Women For Change (@womenforchange5) September 16, 2026
Also see: ‘At least something is being done’: Grass cut at site linked to Tsontso Moselakgomo’s death
Tsontso Moselakgomo’s death
Tsontso, 38, was reported missing after going for a run in Kempton Park. Her body was subsequently discovered and identified by her family.
Her death has become one of the cases at the centre of a wider police investigation into women whose bodies have been found in different parts of Ekurhuleni.
Police have previously stressed that they have not established that all the cases are connected, while a specialised multidisciplinary team has been established to investigate the deaths.
The discovery of another woman’s body in Dawn Park on Thursday brought the number of women whose deaths are being investigated in the area to nine, according to SAnews.
Government under pressure over GBVF
The latest developments have renewed scrutiny of the government’s efforts to tackle GBVF.
Sindisiwe’s visit to Tsontso’s family and the site where she was found came as authorities faced mounting pressure to provide answers and strengthen efforts to protect women.
The government has also publicly acknowledged the seriousness of the violence. Government Communications and Information System published a statement on 16 September 2026 expressing condolences to the families and communities affected by the killings.
For Women For Change, however, the minister’s presence at the site raised questions about what action had been taken before the latest deaths.
The organisation’s criticism places renewed attention on the implementation of South Africa’s National Strategic Plan on GBVF and the government’s broader response to violence against women.
Police investigation continues
Police have appealed to members of the public with information that could assist the investigation to come forward.
Authorities have also urged the public to avoid spreading unverified information about the cases, as investigators work to establish the circumstances surrounding each death.
As the investigation continues, the deaths have prompted renewed calls for accountability, improved protection for women and concrete action against GBVF.
Also see: Police offer R400,000 reward to help solve Ekurhuleni women’s deaths
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