EKURHULENI, GAUTENG — As the investigation into the horrific Ekurhuleni women murders intensifies, authorities have announced a R400,000 reward for information leading to further breakthroughs. Alongside the police crackdown, the national Community Policing Forum (CPF) is urgently calling on residents to collaborate with law enforcement, emphasizing that grassroots intelligence and community-driven crime prevention are vital to stopping the barbaric attacks.
Acting national commissioner Lieutenant General Puleng Dimpane confirmed the substantial financial reward aimed at cracking the cases of the eight confirmed female victims. Currently, one suspect is in custody, while a specialized manhunt is underway for a second suspect. Specialized police teams are actively working to establish potential links between the murders. The investigation has also been extended to include the body of a woman recently discovered in a river near the mall of Thembisa in Clayville, where an inquest has officially been opened.
National Community Policing Forum spokesperson Siyanda Biyela expressed deep condolences to the families of the victims, describing the ongoing violence as a “barbaric incident” that instills fear across the community. Referencing the Medium Term Plan (MTP) 2030, which dictates the vision of a crime-free and safe society, Biyela expressed concern that such incidents threaten this national goal. She stressed that the burden of safety should not solely rest on women changing their behavior, but rather on a collaborative, intelligence-driven approach between the public and the police.
“We really urge the community to assist the police because the police are responsive,” Biyela stated. She highlighted the availability of platforms that allow citizens to share crucial information anonymously, ensuring they can assist the investigative process without fear of exposure. Biyela noted that the surge in attacks from July 2026 to the present has been deeply alarming, prompting local CPFs to ramp up Gender-Based Violence (GBV) awareness campaigns and trauma recovery support for victims.
Addressing misconceptions about the capabilities of neighborhood watch groups, Biyela clarified that the primary role of the CPF is crime prevention, not direct crime combating. “Our CPF members are not trained to deal with crime combating, and we always maintain that our members must never go and face criminals directly,” she explained. Instead, the CPF acts as a “force multiplier” and the “eyes and ears” of the police, bridging the communication baseline between law enforcement and residents to ensure cases are reported and addressed.
Biyela highlighted the proven value of these structures, noting the deployment of community and blue patrollers during recent unrest and marches. These volunteers assisted police in monitoring hotspots and covering areas where law enforcement could not reach, enhancing overall visibility and helping to stop incidents before they escalate.
While acknowledging that some CPF structures face resource constraints, Biyela revealed that the national executive committee is actively seeking partnerships with local businesses. She urged business owners to invest in communication tools, such as walkie-talkies, for local CPF branches, noting that a safe community directly benefits local commerce and that CPF members patrol the very areas where these businesses operate.
CPF structures, which operate on five-year elected terms, receive regular training in conflict resolution, partnerships, and communication to ensure leadership remains focused and effective. These committees meet monthly with station commanders to review crime patterns and quarterly with broader stakeholders to ensure challenges are addressed promptly, preventing the breakdown of trust that occurs when communities feel uninformed.
Ultimately, the CPF’s strategy relies on fostering a safer society through vigilant, intelligence-driven community engagement. By validating grassroots reports and maintaining a consistent communication loop with the South African Police Service (SAPS), the CPF aims to ensure that justice is served and the families of the Ekurhuleni victims finally find closure.
