Maimane calls for policing reforms amid discovery of nine women’s bodies in Gauteng

Build One South Africa leader Mmusi Maimane is calling for urgent reforms to South Africa’s policing and criminal justice systems following the discovery of nine women’s bodies in Ekurhuleni in the Gauteng province since July.

The South African police have confirmed the discoveries, but say investigations are continuing, and have cautioned against speculation that a serial killer is responsible.

Maimane says the developments highlight broader problems within South Africa’s policing system, including a shortage of detectives, limited local investigative capacity and weaknesses in intelligence gathering.

He is calling for increased resources for vulnerable police stations, greater municipal policing capacity and a stronger focus on securing convictions for serious crimes.

Maimane also urged men and women in Ekurhuleni east of Johannesburg to stand together against gender-based violence and criminality.

“We cannot just talk. We have to act,” Maimane says.