Deploy army and patrols to protect women in the East Rand of Joburg
The Issue
Recently, the East Rand area of Johannesburg has become a terrifying landscape for women. Lives are being tragically cut short, women relentlessly targeted, while the government remains unresponsively silent. We've marched together, changed our profile pictures to purple as a symbol of solidarity and resistance, and witnessed gender-based violence (GBV) being declared a national crisis. Yet, alarmingly, nothing has tangibly changed.
The situation worsens, and each day feels more dangerous than the last. Women, once vibrant with life, ambitions, and voices, are reduced to mere statistics in news columns. The advice from SAPS is disheartening: to stay vigilant and avoid being killed when vigilance has been our constant, weary companion. How do we avoid a tragedy on this scale in a society where simply existing as a woman has become a life-threatening act?
As a community, we are imploring our government to take immediate, definitive action to safeguard the lives of women in the in this country. We urge the deployment of the army and increased patrolling efforts.
Life in South Africa shouldn't equate to fear and oppression for anyone, but that's precisely what's unfolding. Globally, South Africa ranks shockingly high in femicide rates, with a woman murdered every three hours. According to the South African Police Service, there were approximately 2,695 murders of women in 2018, and the numbers have only increased. This is a national emergency that demands urgent intervention from authorities.
Deploying the army and patrols isn't just about more boots on the ground; it's a statement, a bold demonstration that women’s lives matter, that the government is committed to change and protection now, not later, when more lives are unjustly lost.
We must act swiftly to turn the tide against this tragic wave of violence. This is our call to the government, to use their capacities fully and responsibly to protect the women of the East Rand and subsequently, all of South Africa.
Please join us in demanding action. Sign this petition to urge the government to deploy protective forces in the East Rand now, for the precious lives that live in its neighbourhoods and for the collective safety of our future. Every signature plays a crucial role in catalyzing this change.
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The Issue
Recently, the East Rand area of Johannesburg has become a terrifying landscape for women. Lives are being tragically cut short, women relentlessly targeted, while the government remains unresponsively silent. We've marched together, changed our profile pictures to purple as a symbol of solidarity and resistance, and witnessed gender-based violence (GBV) being declared a national crisis. Yet, alarmingly, nothing has tangibly changed.
The situation worsens, and each day feels more dangerous than the last. Women, once vibrant with life, ambitions, and voices, are reduced to mere statistics in news columns. The advice from SAPS is disheartening: to stay vigilant and avoid being killed when vigilance has been our constant, weary companion. How do we avoid a tragedy on this scale in a society where simply existing as a woman has become a life-threatening act?
As a community, we are imploring our government to take immediate, definitive action to safeguard the lives of women in the in this country. We urge the deployment of the army and increased patrolling efforts.
Life in South Africa shouldn't equate to fear and oppression for anyone, but that's precisely what's unfolding. Globally, South Africa ranks shockingly high in femicide rates, with a woman murdered every three hours. According to the South African Police Service, there were approximately 2,695 murders of women in 2018, and the numbers have only increased. This is a national emergency that demands urgent intervention from authorities.
Deploying the army and patrols isn't just about more boots on the ground; it's a statement, a bold demonstration that women’s lives matter, that the government is committed to change and protection now, not later, when more lives are unjustly lost.
We must act swiftly to turn the tide against this tragic wave of violence. This is our call to the government, to use their capacities fully and responsibly to protect the women of the East Rand and subsequently, all of South Africa.
Please join us in demanding action. Sign this petition to urge the government to deploy protective forces in the East Rand now, for the precious lives that live in its neighbourhoods and for the collective safety of our future. Every signature plays a crucial role in catalyzing this change.
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Petition created on 15 September 2026