A dual crisis of violent crime against women and systemic failures within the justice system is gripping communities east of Pretoria, leaving residents terrified and demanding action.
The townships of Eersterust and Mamelodi are on high alert following the grim discovery of several charred bodies of women found near a local railway line in recent weeks. The timeline of discoveries, starting in June with the most recent at the beginning of August, and a similar modus operandi have sparked fears that a serial killer may be targeting the area.
In a separate but equally harrowing case, the body of 30-year-old Loveness Magabe was discovered in a shallow grave in Eersterust. A 36-year-old man has been arrested and appeared in the Pretoria Magistrates Court in connection with her murder. He is expected to apply for bail on October 15th.
“The ongoing discoveries have sent shock waves throughout the communities, with many women living in fear,” said the news reporter.
Community member Zoey Mabaso expressed the collective anguish. “It’s very shocking… We are angry of not knowing what’s going to happen next,” she said. “You ask yourself, am I next? Who is next?… We are tired of killings. We are tired of every weekend burying our women, our young kids.”
Justice Delayed, Justice Denied
Compounding the fear of a potential predator on the streets is a profound loss of faith in the criminal justice system, highlighted by a separate case of an 11-year-old rape survivor.
The mother of the child, who was raped on January 1, 2024, says the justice system has failed her family after the alleged rapist was released due to extensive delays in DNA testing.
“It’s been 18 months now,” the devastated mother said. “I’m not coping. My mind is like… I’m somebody who’s insane. I can’t eat. I can’t sleep because I’m always thinking about this thing that I’m not getting justice for my daughter.”
She revealed that the suspect’s family had come to her home and attempted to bribe her with R15,000 to drop the charges. The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) confirmed the suspect’s release, stating the matter was withdrawn from the court roll pending outstanding investigations, including the DNA results. They stated the case would be re-enrolled once the investigations are complete.
A National Backlog of Trauma
Activists demonstrating outside a local police station condemned the delays, calling them a secondary injustice. They pointed to a massive national DNA testing backlog, which was confirmed to Parliament in April to be sitting at approximately 140,000 cases.
“I cannot understand how they can delay for almost 18 months,” said one activist, who also revealed the trauma has torn the family apart, forcing the young victim to live with relatives away from her deeply depressed and now suicidal mother.
Community Policing Forum (CPF) chairperson Napoleon Miller acknowledged the challenges, citing a critical lack of manpower at local police stations and the misallocation of police wardens to other areas as key obstacles to community safety.
While praising the police for their swift action in the Magabe case, Miller and other community leaders have initiated night patrols and visibility drives. He made a desperate plea for more community involvement, especially from men.
“Young men, the older men, please… come out,” he urged. “It’s sad that you see in all the night watches… it’s only women that really come out in masses.”
As police continue to investigate whether the railway line murders are connected, the communities of Eersterust and Mamelodi are left waiting—both for answers to the violence on their streets and for a justice system they can trust to deliver.