Experts Sound Alarm Over Rising Attacks on Women After Mamelodi Killings

Experts Sound Alarm Over Rising Attacks on Women After Mamelodi Killings

The community of Mamelodi East woke up to horror on Sunday morning after the bodies of two young women were found dumped beside a road, both shot in the head. The gruesome discovery has reignited fears about women’s safety in Gauteng, where several similar killings have been reported in recent months.

Police have since arrested a 38-year-old man in connection with the double murder and an attempted murder of a third woman, who miraculously survived and is recovering in hospital.

According to police spokesperson Captain Tintswalo Sibeko, the suspect was tracked down and arrested by a joint team of detectives from the Serious and Violent Crime Unit, Crime Intelligence, and Mamelodi East detectives. He is expected to appear in the Mamelodi Magistrate’s Court this week.

A Pattern of Violence That’s Too Familiar

The victims, Tshiamo Moramaga (21) and Baleseng Moramaga (22), were both shot execution-style a detail that, experts say, points to deliberate targeting rather than random violence.

Rural criminologist Witness Maluleka said the pattern of these murders reflects an unsettling trend in South Africa, where women and young people are increasingly becoming targets of violent crime.

“Cases like this aren’t isolated. They’re part of a much larger crisis where violence against women is becoming more calculated and personal,” Maluleka said.

The Mamelodi killings come just months after five women’s bodies were found dumped across Pretoria East, sparking speculation that a serial killer might be operating in the region. In one of those cases, a man named Helder Isidro, 36, from Eersterust, was arrested and charged with multiple murders after the charred remains of Loveness Magabe and other victims were discovered between Denlyn and Waltloo stations.

Public Fear and Online Outrage

As photos and videos of the latest victims circulated on social media, the public reaction was immediate and furious. Many expressed fear and frustration, questioning how many more women must die before real change happens.

“Women can’t even walk freely anymore. Every week it’s another body,” one user posted on X (formerly Twitter).

The outrage has amplified calls for more visible policing and stronger community policing forums. Residents in Mamelodi say they no longer feel safe, especially with the growing number of unsolved femicide cases in the area.

Experts Call for Real Action, Not Promises

Criminal law expert Cornelia van Graan believes that the latest killings highlight an urgent need for collaboration between the police, government, and communities.

“The rise in gender-based murders demands a proactive strategy not just arrests after the fact. Police visibility, better investigation capacity, and community partnerships are key,” she said.

Echoing this sentiment, ANC Greater Tshwane secretary George Matjila condemned the murders, calling them “barbaric and unacceptable.” He urged law enforcement to act swiftly to ensure justice for the victims and restore public confidence in the police.

A Nation on Edge

South Africa’s ongoing battle with gender-based violence has long been described as a “second pandemic.” While government campaigns and awareness drives have become more frequent, the killings in Mamelodi are a chilling reminder that words alone aren’t saving lives.

For now, Mamelodi’s residents are left with fear and a growing sense that justice for South Africa’s women remains heartbreakingly out of reach.

{Source: The Citizen}

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