Since Olorato Mongale was brutally murdered two weeks ago on Africa Day, May 25, at least 11 women have been murdered across South Africa as gender-based violence (GBV) tightens its grip.
Eleven women were killed between May 25 and June 7 (yesterday).
Six unidentified women were killed in Limpopo, Free State and Eastern Cape. Of the six, three were killed in Limpopo, two in Free State, and two in Eastern Cape.
The other victims who were identified by the police were each killed in Northern Cape, Western Cape, Mpumalanga and Gauteng.
Limpopo police spokesperson Brig Hlulani Mashaba said three women were killed in GBV incidents in Letsitele, Mankweng and Malamulele between May 25 and June 5.
Free State police spokesperson Capt Loraine Earle said a 28-year-old female was shot dead at her home in Refengkgotso, Deneysville, on May 27.
Earle said neighbours alleged that they heard gunshots from her home, and when they investigated, an unknown man was seen running into the veld nearby. They then discovered the deceased lying on the floor and contacted the police.
Earle said a second victim, a 36-year-old woman was bludgeoned to death in Thabong township on May 25.
“It is alleged that on Saturday night, May 24, 2025, an altercation ensued between the couple over a house key. The suspect allegedly went to seek assistance in the morning when he realised his girlfriend was motionless. The woman was declared dead by the emergency services.”
In Eastern Cape, the body of a 20-year-old woman, Asenathi Mve, who was reported missing on June 1, after a night out, was discovered in Bhekela village, Ncera, on Tuesday.
Another Eastern Cape woman, Thabisa Mbangeli, 46, provincial police said, was found brutally murdered in Reeston on May 25. In Northern Cape, police spokesperson Brig Mashay Gamieldien, said a body of a 19-year-old female student was discovered in the veld near Bongweni in Kuyasa on Thursday, June 5.
Gamieldien said preliminary reports indicate that on Thursday around 2.25am, police were informed of an ongoing attack at a drinking establishment in Kuyasa. But when police arrived at the scene, nobody was there.
“Police [then] proceeded to the Manne Dipico Hospital to check if any persons were receiving medical treatment. While there, a Volkswagen Golf stopped, and a man reported that his girlfriend was lying in the veld in Bongweni. Her boyfriend is currently under police guard at a local hospital – detained for questioning.”
Western Cape police spokesperson Sgt Christopher Spies said a 27-year-old woman was stabbed in the head and back on Wednesday at Blomnek in De Rust. A man, who was last seen with her was subsequently arrested. The police confiscated a knife, believed to be the murder weapon.”
Mpumalanga police spokesperson Brig Donald Mdhluli said on the evening of May 31, Buhlebenkosi Makhanda (20) was possibly raped and shot dead by unknown suspects.
Mdhluli said Buhlebenkosi and her male friend were walking in their township of Sakhi-le in Standerton, Mpumalanga, around 6pm. The 20-year-old and the friend were then held up and robbed of their cellphones, and Buhlebenkosi was kidnapped Her friend raised the alarm. Around midday the following day, her half-naked body was discovered near the local graveyard.
On May 30 in Soweto, the day before Buhlebenkosi was kidnapped, police discovered the body of Ithabeleng Motleleng (20) under the bed in her boyfriend’s shack, wrapped in a carpet.
Her boyfriend Zacharia Nonyane (27) was arrested and appeared in the Protea Magistrate’s Court this week on a murder charge. His case was postponed to August 6. He remains in custody.
Asenathi, Mbangeli, Buhlebenkosi and Ithabeleng joined Olorato, Nontobeko Cele, Nomsa Jass, Tshegofatso Pule, Precious Ramabulana, Karabo Mokoena, Lebohang Monene, Jennifer Motlomi, Hillary Gardee, Dorcas Lekganyane, Tshepang Pitse and Uyinene Mrwetyana, whose murders hogged the headlines over the years in South Africa.
According to national police spokesperson Brig Athlenda Mathe, 13 518 women were killed in South Africa between April 2021 and March 2024. Civil rights organisation Women For Change, said 5 578 were killed in 2024 alone. That is an average of 16 women murders every 24 hours.
Meanwhile, this week, Mpumalanga resident Sibongile Nkosi, 44, joined South Africa’s growing femicide toll, a year after her brutal murder.
Her brother Mluleki Nkosi, 30, confessed to her murder on Tuesday. He said she had been haunting him, and told locals he struck her during an argument the day after the May 29 national elections last year. He then secretly buried her in the family backyard but told family she was visiting friends.
Nkosi appeared in the Kabokweni Magistrate’s Court on Thursday. The matter was postponed to August 14.
Olorato Mongale:
Olorato Mongale (30) was murdered and her body dumped in Lombardy West, Johannesburg, on May 25 2025. On May 29, police shot and killed the main suspect in her murder, Philangenkosi Makhanya. Police are still on the hunt for another suspect Bongani Mthimkhulu.
Lebohang Monene:
Tembisa Hospital nurse Lebohang Monene was fatally shot by former police officer Lucky Mudau at the hospital’s premises in February 2022. Mudau then turned the gun on himself. Mudau was sentenced to 25 years imprisonment, wholly suspended for five years. Mudau became wheelchair-bound after the incident.
Nomsa Jass:
Nomsa Jass’ partially decomposed body was discovered on September 8, 2024 in the bushes along the R501 road at Blybank in Carletonville, North West. The 26-year-old had been reported missing on August 26 2024.
Precious Ramabulana:
Precious Ramabulana (21) was raped and stabbed to death 90 times in her rented home in Mokomene, Botlokwa, outside Polokwane 2019. Aubrey Manaka (29) was handed a double life sentence.
Tshegofatso Pule:
Tshegofasto Pule’s (28) body was found hanging from a tree in Durban Deep, western Johannesburg on June 5, 2020. She was eight months pregnant at the time. In March 2022, Ntuthuko Shoba, 33, was found guilty and sentenced to life in prison.
Karabo Mokoena:
Karabo Mokoena’s charred body was found in an open veld in Lyndurst, Johannesburg in April 2017. Mokoena (22) was stabbed to death by her boyfriend, 27-year-old Sandile Mantsoe, who was sentenced to 32 years imprisonment.
Nontobeko Cele:
Nontobeko Cele (25) was killed by her partner Sibusiso Mntaka in Umzinto, south of Durban, on December 17, 2024. He later recorded a video, which went viral on social media platforms, confessing to stabbing her several times. He was later found hanging from a tree.
Jennifer Motlhomi:
Jennifer Motlhomi, wife of former ANC MP Sibusiso Kula, was found murdered at the couple’s home in Kanana, North West, on November 27 2022. Kula was arrested in January 2023.
Tshepang Pitse:
In November 2021, Tshepang Pitse’s body parts were discovered inside a fridge at the home of her then ex-boyfriend Flavio Hlabangwane in Protea Glen, Soweto. In May 2023, Hlabangwane was sentenced to life.
Uyinene Mrwetyana:
In August 2019, University of Cape Town student Uyinene Mrwetyana (19) was raped and killed inside a post office in Claremont, Western Cape. Luyanda Botha, an employee at the post office, was given three life sentences.
