Democratic Alliance leader Geordin Hill-Lewis says residents of Ekurhuleni would be safer under a DA-led municipal government as concern grows over violent crime and the recent deaths of women across the East Rand.
Hill-Lewis used the killings to question the response of the current government and argue that a change in political leadership would bring stronger law enforcement and improved public safety to the metro.
His comments come as police investigate the deaths of several women whose bodies were discovered in different parts of Ekurhuleni over the past two months. Some were found naked or partially clothed, while investigators believe several had been sexually assaulted.
Police have not confirmed that all the deaths are connected or that they were committed by one person. A multidisciplinary team is examining the evidence from each case and trying to identify those responsible.
The murders have caused widespread fear among women in the area and renewed public anger over gender-based violence and femicide in South Africa. Memorial runs, community demonstrations and calls for stronger policing have followed the killings.
The DA has also launched its “Action, Not Advice” campaign, criticising police safety recommendations directed at women and demanding more resources for law enforcement, the clearing of DNA testing backlogs and reliable crime statistics.
The party has offered an additional R500,000 reward for information leading to the prosecution of those responsible for the murders. This is separate from the R400,000 reward offered by police.
Hill-Lewis’s remarks also come ahead of the local government elections, with the DA seeking to take control of Ekurhuleni from the current coalition government.
While municipalities oversee metro police departments, the South African Police Service remains a national government responsibility. A DA-led administration would therefore still need cooperation between the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department, SAPS and other law-enforcement agencies to address violent crime effectively.
President Cyril Ramaphosa has instructed police to intensify their investigations, while Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi has urged the public to allow investigators time to build their cases.
The killings remain under investigation, and authorities have appealed to anyone with information to contact the police. Reuters reported that the deaths have intensified public demands for action against violence targeting women.
