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World · South Africa violence against women and government response

Ramaphosa announces emergency response after killings of women near Johannesburg

President Cyril Ramaphosa announced national measures against violence toward women after 11 to 12 women's bodies were found east of Johannesburg since July. Outlets differ on the toll and the number of arrests.

5 outlets · 1L · 2C · 2R First reported Account updated

Updated (version 2). New coverage since the last version from Irish Independent, The Straits Times.

Image: Al Jazeera
Image: Irish Independent
Image: The Straits Times

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The story, neutrally told

South Africa's president, Cyril Ramaphosa, gave a televised address late on Tuesday 29 September after women's bodies were found in an area east of Johannesburg. The BBC says 12 bodies were found in two months; Al Jazeera and Reuters (via The Straits Times) say at least 11 since July, the latter placing them in Ekurhuleni. Ramaphosa called the violence "a source of profound pain and national shame" and said "The nation is angry."

He said police had found no evidence that a single perpetrator was responsible, though Reuters adds that all possibilities remain under investigation. The BBC reports four arrests, while Reuters reports arrests in connection with three of the killings. He announced what he called a multidisciplinary, national-level emergency response, and admitted the country has "not done enough" to protect women and girls.

Every municipality must begin a women's safety audit to identify high-risk areas such as broken streetlights, abandoned buildings and unsafe transport routes. He also announced an "enforcement package" on alcohol-related violence, saying alcohol does not cause such violence or excuse it. He urged men and boys to lead in ending gender-based violence, saying deeper change in attitudes is needed.

Context: Reuters says earlier government pledges have failed to curb such violence and only about one in 10 murders is solved; the BBC cites 569 women killed between April and June.

Every sentence links to the reporting it rests on.

Left1 outlet

Framing
Brief video item stressing that Ramaphosa ordered action on femicide and a nationwide outcry.
Emphasis
Femicide and the public outcry.
Leaves out or plays down
Gives no detail on the specific measures, arrests or context.
Charged language
“femicide”
For example
“Since July, the bodies of at least 11 women have been found in an area east of Johannesburg prompting a nationwide outcry for action” — Al Jazeera

Centre2 outlets

Framing
Leads on the practical measures: clean-up of high-risk areas, safety audits and the alcohol enforcement package.
Emphasis
Policy detail, long quotes on attitudes and male violence, and national statistics.
Leaves out or plays down
Does not mention that earlier pledges failed or that few murders are solved.
Charged language
“urgent action”
For example
“South Africa to clean up high-risk areas after 12 women killed” — BBC News
“South Africa's president has announced urgent action after the killing of at least 11 women in just two months.” — Sky News

Right2 outlets

Framing
Reuters copy leading on Ramaphosa's emotional language of national shame and anger, with doubts about state capacity.
Emphasis
Victims' details, the state's record and low murder clearance rates.
Leaves out or plays down
The Straits Times piece does not describe the audits or alcohol measures.
Charged language
“national shame”“corpse was found dumped”
For example
“reigniting public anger and fear after repeated government pledges have failed to curb gender-based violence” — The Straits Times
“South Africa announces plan to tackle violence against women after killings” — Irish Independent