South African celebrities, including reality TV star Vuyokazi Nciweni, Rachel Kolisi and DJ Lamiez Holworthy, have spoken out against the scourge of gender-based violence (GBV) after multiple lifeless bodies of women were found in Kempton Park and other parts of Ekurhuleni in Gauteng.
The incidents have raised concern and sent shockwaves across the country, with many calling for answers and greater intervention to address violence against women.
On Tuesday, 15 September, authorities confirmed that an eighth woman’s body had been found in Olifantsfontein the previous day.
Eight cases are now being investigated, involving five bodies discovered in Kempton Park, two in Olifantsfontein and one in KwaThema.
ALSO READ: Kempton Park Killings: Safety Tips as SAPS Warn Women to Stay Vigilant
Vuyokazi Nciweni: ‘How Many More Women Have To Die?’
Amid the growing concern, several celebrities have taken to social media to raise awareness and speak out against gender-based violence. Reality TV star Vuyokazi Nciweni took to Facebook to address the femicide crisis and the fear experienced by women in South Africa.
How many more women have to die before we realise something is seriously wrong? Every woman deserves to make it home safely. The fear, the silence, the waiting for answers, it’s heartbreaking. My heart goes out to every family who has lost a daughter, sister, mother or friend. Women deserve to live, not survive.
In another Facebook post, Nciweni called for a tougher approach to dealing with those responsible for the deaths of women.
Rachel Kolisi: ‘It’s Femicide’
Rachel Kolisi also took to social media following the reports, expressing her frustration over the ongoing violence against women. The author and motivational speaker shared a post on Instagram, which read: “Let’s just be clear. It’s femicide.”
She captioned the post: “I feel sick. Exhausted. 💔”
In the comments section, Rachel also spoke about the upcoming local elections and said she planned to vote for a party that was actively addressing femicide.
“We’re voting on the 4th November. At this point I’ll vote for any party that is actively doing something to address the femicide,” she wrote.
View this post on Instagram
Lamiez Holworthy: ‘I am Scared’
DJ Lamiez Holworthy, who has often used her platform to speak out on issues affecting women, also addressed the crisis in a Facebook post on 15 September.
“My heart breaks at the state of our country- as a mother, a daughter, a woman, a human being who has a basic right to live- I am scared.”
Lamiez questioned how much attention the disappearances and deaths might have received without the efforts of the people close to the missing women.
“Truth is, had it not been for Tsontso’s friends and family members bringing awareness about her gone missing [sic], when exactly would we have known that there are SEVEN other female victims found in the same or surrounding areas?!”
She also questioned when the public would have been informed about concerns surrounding a possible serial killer.
“When would we have found out that there is a possible serial killer on the loose?”
The City Makoti Also Weighs In
Another personality to address the issue was influencer and reality TV star Anika Dambuza, popularly known as The City Makoti, who shared practical ways men can help women feel safer in everyday situations.
She encouraged men to be more mindful of their behaviour around women, including giving them space, respecting their boundaries and taking women seriously when they say someone makes them uncomfortable. She described these as small inconveniences that could make a significant difference to how safe women feel.
View this post on Instagram
Jackie Phamotse Calls for Action
Author and activist Jackie Phamotse directed her frustration at President Cyril Ramaphosa in a post shared on X on 16 September.
“Mr President @CyrilRamaphosa, do you want this country to burn? Are you ready for another shutdown? More Protests? More blood?” she wrote.
Mr. President @CyrilRamaphosa , do you want this country to burn? Are you ready for another shout down? More Protests? More blood? 🩸
— Jackie Phamotse (@JackiePhamotse) September 15, 2026
Ramaphosa Vows to Take Action
The government has faced criticism online amid growing anger over the deaths, with some questioning whether enough is being done to protect women and prevent further attacks.
In a statement released on 15 September, President Cyril Ramaphosa said the cases had been prioritised and that “no stone” would be left unturned to bring those responsible to justice. He said law enforcement agencies were working urgently to establish the facts, keep communities safe and bring the perpetrator or perpetrators to justice, while calling on citizens to provide information that could assist the investigation.
STATEMENT BY PRESIDENT RAMAPHOSA ON KILLINGS OF WOMEN IN THE EAST RAND
President @CyrilRamaphosa has said that no stone will be left unturned to solve the recent killings of women in and around Kempton Park in Gauteng.
He said: “I speak for all of us as I extend my deepest…
— The Presidency 🇿🇦 (@PresidencyZA) September 15, 2026
R400 000 Reward Offered
Police have deployed additional detectives, intelligence officers and forensic experts as they continue investigating the cases. In addition, a R400 000 reward has been offered for information that could lead to arrests.
Acting Police Minister Firoz Cachalia also cautioned against prematurely linking the deaths, saying it would be unhelpful to speculate on a pattern at this stage.
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