Kaizer Chiefs has joined growing public calls against gender-based violence following the discovery of the bodies of nine women in and around Ekurhuleni.
The football club used its social media platforms to condemn the killings and express its support for the affected families and communities, as police continue investigating the deaths.
“No woman should live in fear,” the club said.
The message comes as the deaths have sparked widespread anger and concern across South Africa, with police investigating possible links between the cases.
The South African Police Service confirmed on Thursday that a ninth woman’s body had been found in Dawn Park, Ekurhuleni.
The body was discovered on September 17, bringing the number of women whose deaths are being investigated to nine.
Police have said that a multidisciplinary team has been mobilised to investigate the cases, while detectives continue working to establish what happened to the women and whether the deaths are connected.
Image: Itumeleng English / ANA Studio
Kaizer Chiefs condemns GBV
In its statement, Kaizer Chiefs said it was “heartbroken” by the violence and killings in Ekurhuleni.
“No To Gender-Based Violence. We are heartbroken by the tragic violence and killings in Ekurhuleni. Kaizer Chiefs FC condemns Gender-Based Violence and the senseless loss of life in our communities,” the club said.
The club extended its condolences to the families affected and specifically addressed residents of Kempton Park and other parts of the East Rand.
“To the people of Kempton Park & other parts of the East Rand, we stand with you. No woman should live in fear. Enough is Enough!” it said.
The statement comes at a time when the killings have placed renewed focus on the safety of women in Gauteng and South Africa’s broader gender-based violence crisis.
Nine women’s deaths under investigation
The first cluster of cases emerged in Kempton Park, where police warned women in the area to exercise caution after four women’s bodies were found over about two months.
Police said there were concerning similarities in some of the cases, including the locations where the bodies were found and the circumstances surrounding the deaths.
At that stage, however, SAPS stressed that it had not confirmed that the deaths were linked to a serial killer.
The investigation later expanded as additional bodies were found in other parts of Ekurhuleni.
The body of 28-year-old Gracious Nkomo, who was found along the R21 in Kempton Park on September 10, was identified by her family on September 17.
She is one of the women whose deaths are being investigated as part of the wider probe.
The latest discovery in Dawn Park brought the total number of bodies being investigated to nine.
Police have urged anyone with information that could assist the investigation to come forward.
Image: Supplied
Outrage over violence against women
The deaths have prompted renewed public discussion about gender-based violence and femicide in South Africa.
The Commission for Gender Equality has also called for urgent safety measures in areas where the women’s bodies were discovered, saying the state has a responsibility to create conditions where women can move through public spaces without fear of violence.
The killings have also prompted memorial events and public demonstrations, with communities and women’s rights organisations calling for greater protection of women and accountability for those responsible.
Kaizer Chiefs’ message adds the voice of one of South Africa’s most prominent football clubs to those condemning the violence.
For now, investigators are continuing to piece together the circumstances surrounding each death.
While police have identified similarities between some of the cases, authorities have not publicly confirmed that all nine women were killed by the same person or group.
