The Gauteng Interfaith Leadership Council expresses its profound sorrow, concern, and condemnation following the deaths of nine women in Ekurhuleni since July 2026. Reports indicate that the bodies of nine women have been discovered in different parts of Ekurhuleni, deepening the anguish of families, communities, and all people of goodwill. Recent media reports confirm that these deaths are currently under investigation by the South African Police Service.

We wish to emphasize that these women are not statistics. They are daughters, sisters, mothers, friends, neighbours, and beloved members of our communities. Each life lost represents a tragedy that diminishes our common humanity. Every act of violence against a woman wounds the entire human family.

As faith leaders, we draw inspiration from the Document on Human Fraternity for World Peace and Living Together, signed in Abu Dhabi in 2019 by Pope Francis and the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, Ahmed Al-Tayeb. The document proclaims that every human person possesses an inviolable dignity bestowed by God and calls upon all people to reject violence, hatred, discrimination, and indifference. It reminds us that peace is built through respect for human life, justice, compassion, and solidarity.

The continuing violence against women and girls stands in direct contradiction to these values. Gender-Based Violence and Femicide represent a profound moral failure and a grave sin against the sanctity of human life. No cultural tradition, social circumstance, economic hardship, or personal grievance can ever justify violence against women. Such acts are an assault on God-given human dignity and on the values that bind us together as a society.

We therefore:

1. Condemn unequivocally all acts of violence against women and girls, including the deaths currently under investigation.
2. Stand in solidarity with the families who mourn the loss of their loved ones and assure them of our prayers, compassion, and support.
3. Call upon law enforcement agencies to continue their investigations diligently and bring any perpetrators to justice.
4. Urge communities to work together in protecting women and girls and to report any information that may assist the investigations.
5. Appeal to religious communities across Gauteng to intensify efforts to educate, prevent, and challenge attitudes and behaviours that perpetuate violence against women.
6. Encourage government, civil society, and faith communities to strengthen collaboration in addressing the root causes of gender-based violence and in building a culture of dignity, equality, and mutual respect.

The Document on Human Fraternity reminds us that “God has created all human beings equal in rights, duties and dignity.” In the face of these tragic deaths, we reaffirm this truth and insist that every woman’s life is precious, sacred, and worthy of protection.

May the souls of those who have died rest in peace. May their families find strength and comfort. May justice be pursued with diligence and integrity. And may our society renew its commitment to building communities where women can live free from fear, violence, and oppression.

An injury to one is an injury to all. The loss of these women is a loss to our shared humanity.

Gauteng Interfaith Leadership Council (GILC)

Johannesburg, Gauteng

22 September 2026

Signatures

1. Cardinal Stephen Brislin (Catholic Church. Archdiocese of Johannesburg)
2. Bishop Paul Verryn (Church unity Commission)
3. Guru Villa Pillay (Tamil Temple)
4. Maulana Sufiullah Khan (Ahlul Bait Foundation of South Africa – Afosa)
5. Bishop Mkhuseli Sobantwana (Anglican Church)
6. Pops Rathiram (International Society of Krishna Consciousness – ISKCON)
7. Fr Bonaventure Mashata MAfr (SACBC Ecumenism and Interreligious Dialogue)
8. Fr Elias Abdi MAfr (Vicar for Interreligious Dialogue, Archdiocese of Johannesburg)