Police launch multi‑disciplinary crackdown after Ekurhuleni murders

The Ministry of Police has announced measures and an intensified law‑enforcement response after the discovery of several murdered women in Ekurhuleni. The ministry set out its actions in a response to members’ statements in Parliament, addressing gender‑based violence, femicide and drugs.

Rapid, multi‑disciplinary response

Officials said they acted immediately in response to the murders, establishing what they described as a “well‑equipped, highly skilled, multi‑disciplinary team under Acting Deputy National Commissioner Lieutenant‑General Senthumule.”

The ministry said this team “has already resulted in the arrests of four suspects linked to some of the murders. A further suspect killed himself when police closed in. We are confident that further breakthroughs will be made,” the response stated.

Lockdown operations and Operation Shanela 2

Alongside the investigation, police have rolled out intelligence‑led lockdown operations in affected areas. The ministry said these “enhanced operations are part of Operation Shanela 2.”

Officials compared the response to policing for earlier unrest: “As we did to ensure the 30 June anti‑illegal immigrant protests remained peaceful, these operations have received the necessary additional financial and human resources. This is to give some assurance to our people in a period of high anxiety.”

The ministry confirmed that further announcements will be made in the coming week regarding additional steps and resource allocations to support law enforcement in tackling gender‑based violence and femicide (GBVF).

Drugs and organised‑crime links

Officials described narcotics as “a scourge in our society”, citing the discovery of laboratories linked to Mexican cartels. The ministry said: “Drug abuse is one of the most serious threats our families and communities suffer. Fortunately, the SA Police Service has had success in shutting these labs down and arresting those involved.”

It added that a “strategic anti‑organised crime approach” is being implemented, with additional funds from the Criminal Asset Recovery Account (CARA), strengthened leadership, and support from the SANDF.

Crackdown aims and broader crime links

The ministry said the crackdown will target not only street‑level dealers but “the leaders of organised criminal networks.” It noted that “success will be measured in the arrests and convictions of those at the top, the seizure of their ill‑gotten wealth, and ultimately a reduction in the supply of drugs to our communities.”

Officials also connected recent mass killings in several provinces to organised crime. “Our anti‑organised crime approach is also the right one to address these challenges,” the ministry said, and urged the public to remain resilient and confident in law‑enforcement agencies.

Institutional commitment

The ministry concluded by reaffirming its commitment to institutional reform and capacity building within the South African Police Service, pledging to restore public confidence in law enforcement.