Operation Shanela expanded in Ekurhuleni amid investigation into nine women’s deaths

An expanded Operation Shanela has been launched in Ekurhuleni to increase law enforcement visibility and improve safety following the discovery of nine bodies amid investigations into a series of killings of women on the East Rand.

The move was announced by Inter-Ministerial Committee (IMC) on Gender-Based Violence and Femicide co-chairperson and Minister in the Presidency for Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities Sindisiwe Chikunga during a media briefing in Pretoria on Sunday.

The expanded operation will include municipal metro police, who will assist with enforcing bylaws, tackling the illegal sale of alcohol and drugs, and strengthening border security.

The City of Ekurhuleni is also expected to step up efforts to cut overgrown grass, clear bushes and remove illegal dumping sites as part of the Clean Cities and Towns programme.

The government will also redirect the Government Communication and Information System’s Love Your Street campaign to Ekurhuleni. The campaign seeks to encourage residents to help maintain their neighbourhoods and promote shared responsibility for safety.

Chikunga stressed that community involvement would be critical in addressing gender-based violence and femicide.

“Residents must remain vigilant and report suspicious conduct, threats, harassment, missing persons and incidents of violence to the police without delay,” she said.

The IMC also called on shopping centres, transport facilities, entertainment venues and other businesses to ensure that lighting, security systems, emergency procedures and surveillance equipment are functioning properly.

Businesses have further been urged to cooperate with police requests for information and security footage that could assist investigations.

Chikunga also commended taxi drivers who assisted police in the swift arrest of an e-hailing driver accused of raping a 17-year-old girl.

The IMC has meanwhile called on men and boys to play an active role in preventing violence against women and children by challenging harmful behaviour, rejecting misogyny and reporting abuse.

Chikunga said the government’s response would require sustained cooperation between law enforcement, communities, businesses and civil society.

“Gender-based violence and femicide are not private or women’s issues. They are societal crimes that demand collective responsibility and decisive action,” she said.