A moment of silence was observed in Kempton Park to express condolences to the families, friends and colleagues of victims of recent killings across Ekurhuleni, where Executive Mayor Alderman Nkosindiphile Xhakaza addressed the media.

Xhakaza conveyed his condolences.

“Behind every life lost is a family devastated, a community wounded and a future stolen. We recognise the fear and anguish these killings have caused, particularly among women across our city,” said Xhakaza.

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He added that city governance must mobilise communities, respond to community issues, bring in non-governmental and non-profit organisations and activists to join the fight, and ensure they work together to end GBV.

“We have also been ensuring that our own Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department and the Social Crime Unit actually do their part to ensure that we go to the communities and give them confidence that our daughters and sisters can go on with their business, can walk the streets, go to the shops and that we are out there to guarantee their safety,” Xhakaza said.

He added that the council will continue to support SAPS in bringing those responsible to justice.

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“To those responsible for these killings, our message is unequivocal: the walls are closing in, we will work relentlessly with SAPS to find you and ensure that you face the full might of the law,” he said.

The mayor reiterated that communities deserve to live in safety and the families of those whose lives the perpetrators have taken deserve justice.

Xhakaza thanked all the activists who took to the streets.

He said he had earlier joined a march of men led by the clergy, faith-based organisations, and various institutions of society.

He commended the majority of marchers, who were men, because it showed that men are having conversations in all corners and taking decisive steps to end this brutality.