Femicide: A South African Tragedy

South Africa's Deep Wound: A Nation's Struggle Against Violence Targeting Women 

A powerful surge of outrage and despair has engulfed South Africa following the killing of 30-year-old Olorato Mongale. It is alleged that she was attacked by a man she had met for a date. This tragedy represents the most recent event in a troubling string of well-publicized incidents of aggression targeting women and minors within the nation. The public's grief, amplified by a constant stream of similar horrors, fuels a desperate call for substantive change in a country where the safety of women is perpetually under threat. 

A Date with Death 

Concern mounted for Mongale after she failed to communicate with her friends during a rendezvous that took place in the city of Johannesburg on May 25th. A one-time journalist pursuing a master's degree related to ICT policy, her lack of communication was uncharacteristic and immediately raised alarms. The grim discovery of her body later that same day in Lombardy West confirmed their worst fears, transforming a hopeful evening into a national tragedy. This incident did not just extinguish a promising young life; it ignited a firestorm of public outrage, spotlighting the daily dangers women face in what should be ordinary circumstances. The date, a universal symbol of hope and connection, became a marker of unimaginable violence. 

A Violent End and a Criminal Syndicate 

The primary person of interest, Philangenkosi Makhanya, died in a gunfight with law enforcement five days afterward in Amanzimtoti. Bongani Mthimkhulu, a second individual implicated, is still evading capture, prompting a nationwide manhunt. Law enforcement officials in South Africa disclosed that the pair were part of a syndicate targeting women across the country. Police have connected them to at least 22 other cases of kidnapping and robbery. Their method involved posing as potential romantic partners at shopping centers, a ploy police have termed a deception involving fake romantic intentions. Following the discovery of a white VW Polo used in the crime, traces of blood were found inside, leading to a significant breakthrough. 

The Justice System Under Scrutiny 

The case has also cast a harsh light on the judicial system's perceived failures. Both Makhanya and Mthimkhulu were out on bail for previous kidnapping and robbery charges at the time of Mongale's murder. This revelation has sparked condemnation from political parties and activists, who argue it represents a damning indictment of a justice system that fails to prioritise the safety of women. The ability of repeat offenders to secure release only to commit more heinous crimes has intensified calls for judicial reform and stricter bail conditions for those accused of violent crimes against women. The cycle of violence, activists contend, is partly enabled by a legal framework that appears too lenient. 

The Disturbing Statistics of Femicide 

Available data indicates that the rate of femicide in South Africa is among the world's most severe. Statistics released by the country's police service for the fiscal year ending on March 31, 2024, show that a total of 27,600-plus individuals were slain. Among the dead were 5,578 women, in addition to 1,656 minors. This equates to approximately 15 women murdered every day. For the year 2023, a global report from the UN's agency on drugs and crime stated that approximately 1.3 females per 100,000 died at the hands of a relative or someone they were romantically involved with. Research from the SAMRC established that this figure stood at 5.5 during the pandemic's initial year. 

A Nation's Violent Past and Present 

Cameron Kasambala, a community manager with the activist organization Women For Change, highlights the pervasive nature of this violence. She commented that women perish no matter their actions. She noted that individuals have been stabbed as they slept, gunned down in public, and had former partners set their residences ablaze. She connected the issue to the brutal system of oppression that the country’s white-minority government enforced against the Black population during the apartheid era, which ended over 30 years ago. Kasambala argues this history has contributed to a culture of hypermasculinity, where violence and aggression become a means for men to assert themselves. This, she says, is worsened by destitution and problems with substance use. 

The Roots of Hypermasculinity 

The concept of hypermasculinity, an exaggerated form of stereotypically masculine traits, is seen by many experts as a key driver of the violence. In South Africa, this is often linked to the historical context of apartheid and colonialism, which disrupted traditional family structures and normalised violence as a form of control. Social norms that pressure men to be dominant financial providers also contribute to the problem. When men are unable to meet these social conventions, particularly in a country with high unemployment, feelings of inadequacy can trigger aggression. This crisis of male identity, researchers argue, can lead to aggression directed at women as a way for men to reclaim a sense of power. 

The Role of Social Norms 

The director of femicide studies at the SAMRC, Naeemah Abrahams, argues that entrenched social norms fuel this violence. The belief that men should be the primary financial providers creates a power dynamic where women are expected to be subservient. Abrahams suggests that if a woman deviates from these social norms, by achieving financial independence or asserting their autonomy, they are sometimes met with violence as a form of "correction." This perspective underscores that the battle against femicide is not just about law enforcement but requires a profound shift in cultural attitudes and a dismantling of patriarchal structures that have long defined South African society. 

Prominent Cases that Shook the Nation 

Mongale's murder is a grim addition to a list of prominent situations that have horrified the nation. Another recent example is the case involving Racquel, also known as “Kelly” Smith, who sold her six-year-old child, Joshlin. Joshlin disappeared in February 2024, and despite a massive search, she has not been found. The trial revealed that her mother had planned to sell her for R20,000. Another incident that ignited massive public demonstrations involved the case of Uyinene Mrwetyana, a university student who was raped and slain in 2019, shocking the country. Campaigners, however, highlight that countless additional incidents go unreported each year. 

The Disappearance of Joshlin Smith 

The case of Joshlin Smith sent shockwaves across the country, not only because a child was missing but because of the horrific betrayal by her own mother. Kelly Smith, her boyfriend Jacquen Appollis, and a friend, Steveno van Rhyn, were found guilty of kidnapping and human trafficking. The court heard testimony that Smith had orchestrated the sale of her daughter. The case highlighted the vulnerability of children in their own homes and the insidious nature of human trafficking networks. While the verdict brought a measure of legal justice, the fact that Joshlin remains missing leaves a gaping wound for her family and the community. The search for Joshlin continues, a painful reminder of the case's unresolved tragedy. 

A Call for a National Disaster Declaration 

In April, the organization known as Women For Change presented a petition bearing 150,000 signatures to the government. It called for the government to formally declare that the widespread issue of violence based on gender and femicide, abbreviated as GBVF, should be treated as a disaster on a national scale. The group argues that such a declaration would force the government to mobilise national resources and implement a coordinated crisis response, similar to how other national emergencies are handled. They believe this would signal the political will that has so far been lacking and ensure that the issue is treated with the seriousness it deserves at all levels of government. 

Government's Tepid Response 

How the government reacted to the petition has been met with disappointment. Sindisiwe Chikunga, in her role as the minister for women, youth and people with disabilities, replied in a written communication. She affirmed the government's total dedication to a comprehensive, multi-layered societal approach for the GBVF emergency. Yet, she made no reference to the demand for a formal disaster declaration. This omission has been interpreted by activists as a failure to grasp the urgency of the situation. Chikunga has acknowledged the challenges, stating that while the government is not where it wants to be, it is "moving in the right direction." Critics, however, argue that progress is too slow and lacks the necessary funding and coordination. 

Existing Policies and Their Shortcomings 

South Africa does have a National Strategic Plan on GBVF, a 10-year framework adopted in 2020. Additionally, the National Council on GBVF Bill was signed into law in May 2024 to oversee the plan's implementation. However, activists and parliamentary committees have raised concerns about the slow pace of implementation, inadequate funding, and poor coordination between government departments. The National Council on GBVF is still not operational, years after being legislatively approved. This gap between policy and practice leaves many feeling that the government's efforts are insufficient to tackle the scale of the problem. 

The Peril of Romance Scams 

The circumstances surrounding Olorato Mongale's murder have also drawn attention to the growing problem of romance scams in South Africa. These scams often involve organised criminal syndicates that target individuals, frequently women, on dating sites and social media. The perpetrators build trust through false romantic pretences before defrauding, robbing, or kidnapping their victims. These schemes are not always isolated incidents but can be linked to transnational organised crime networks involved in money laundering and other serious financial crimes. The country's Banking Risk Information Centre (SABRIC) has warned that some of these scams are used to finance criminal and even terrorist activities. 

A Promising Life Cut Short 

Olorato Mongale was remembered as a bright and ambitious woman with a world of potential ahead of her. A graduate of Rhodes University with an honours degree in Journalism and Media Studies, she had worked as a multimedia journalist and a communications officer. She had also undertaken a stint teaching English overseas in the nation of South Korea and had recently completed the purchase of an apartment in her hometown of Bloemfontein. At the time of her death, she was pursuing a master's degree at Wits University and had aspirations of earning a PhD. Her loved ones recalled her vibrant, effervescent personality, saying she illuminated any room she entered. 

A Family's Unspeakable Grief 

The pain of Mongale's loss is immeasurable for her family. Her mother, Keabetswe, is grappling with the devastating reality of losing her only child. Criselda Kananda, her mother's best friend, spoke of the family's struggle to come to terms with the tragedy. A recent visit to Olorato's apartment revealed baking ingredients left out on the counter, ready for a cake she would never get to make. This poignant detail underscores the sudden and brutal finality of her death. Kananda confessed that discoveries like these are cementing the hard fact of her passing, leaving behind a void that can never be filled. 

The Legal Framework: A Double-Edged Sword 

While activists and researchers point to deep-seated social issues, they also acknowledge that the nation possesses excellent legislation. Naeemah Abrahams has stated that having "great laws" suggests the problem lies not in the absence of legal frameworks but in their implementation and the societal attitudes that undermine them. Research from the SAMRC has shown some positive trends, with the rate of intimate partner femicide declining since 1999, though it has remained stubbornly static since 2009. This suggests that while some progress has been made, the underlying drivers of violence remain potent. 

The Decline in Justice 

A worrying trend identified by the SAMRC is a decline in the quality of police investigations into femicide cases. Their 2017 study showed a significant increase in missing police dockets and cases where the perpetrator was not identified. This decline in investigative quality means that fewer perpetrators are being held accountable, which not only denies justice to victims and their families but also emboldens other potential offenders. The conviction rate for intimate partner femicide is alarmingly low, with fewer than one in five cases resulting in a conviction. This highlights a critical failure in the criminal justice system's ability to protect women. 

A Community in Mourning and Anger 

The funeral of Olorato Mongale in Bloemfontein was a somber affair, attended by community members and government officials who came to pay their respects. The Deputy Minister of Police, Dr Polly Boshielo, spoke at the service, vowing that law enforcement would not rest until the fugitive, Bongani Mthimkhulu, was apprehended. She called on the public to assist the police and urged Mthimkhulu to surrender. The palpable grief at the funeral was mixed with a sense of collective anger and a renewed determination to fight against the scourge of GBVF, which Boshielo affirmed is a national priority for the SAPS. 

A Legacy of Activism 

In the face of such tragedy, the activist spirit within South Africa remains resilient. The tireless work of organizations, such as Women For Change, continues to keep the issue of GBVF in the public consciousness and pressure the government for action. Their campaigns, petitions, and protests are a testament to the refusal of South African women and their allies to accept the status quo. They carry the names of those who have been lost and fight for a future where women and young people can live free from fear. The legacy of Olorato Mongale, and countless others like her, is becoming a catalyst for change, fueling a movement that demands justice, protection, and a fundamental transformation of South African society.