Kempton Park killings fuel fear among women runners

The killing of nine women in two months in Johannesburg's East Rand has led some South African women runners to carry pepper spray or knives, avoid secluded routes or stop running alone.

The bodies were found around Kempton Park from mid-July, including that of 38-year-old runner Elizabeth Moselakgomo, who left home for a run on September 9 and was found dead three days later. Police are investigating whether a serial killer or killers were responsible, but have not said the deaths are linked.

South African police have arrested three people in connection with the Kempton Park killings. A man is in custody over one murder, and two women have been charged over the killing of Jabulile Ntimba, the ninth woman found dead in the area. Prosecutors said the two women were charged with murder, perverting the course of justice and possession of a dangerous weapon.

The killings have prompted vigils, protests and solidarity runs from Kempton Park to Cape Town. Some women told AFP they had changed their routines, shared live locations with relatives or sent photographs of their clothing before leaving home. Others said they did not feel safe carrying weapons and had restricted where they run.

The government said its 24-hour Gender-Based Violence Command Centre received 6,782 distress calls between September 1 and 16, averaging 424 a day and 21% more than in the same period in August.

President Cyril Ramaphosa said at a public holiday gathering on Thursday that “the pain and suffering that the women of South Africa have been put through stands out as a national shame”. He said South African women had the right to walk the streets at any hour without fear.