By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI
27 October 2025- Soil of Africa Civic Movement (SOA) said it expresses its deep shock, pain and outrage at the brutal murders of two young women, Tshiamo Maramaga (22) and Baleseng Maramaga (21) in Mamelodi East in Gauteng. The movement said this marks the third woman killed in the township this week.
The chairperson of SOA, King Bongani Ramontja said these heinous crimes are not isolated incidents. Ramontja said they are acts of war against the dignity, safety and humanity of women in our communities.
“We extend our heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families. Their loss is our collective wound, and their pain echoes through every street of Mamelodi. These killings are part of a growing epidemic of Gender-Based Violence (GBV) that continues to terrorize South African women.
“Women cannot walk freely. Mothers live in fear. Communities are held hostage by criminals who operate with impunity. The time for sympathy and statements has passed. We now demand action, arrests, and accountability. Immediate deployment of all levels of policing — including Tactical Response Teams, Crime Intelligence, and GBV Units to Mamelodi East,” he said.
Ramontja further said the police should arrest the perpetrators within seven days. He added that failure to do so will compel the community led by SOA, to lawfully shut down Mamelodi until justice is served.
“Inspect and enforce all taverns, shebeens and liquor outlets for compliance with municipal and national laws. Any business found operating illegally or serving as a hub for crime, trafficking, or GBV must be shut down immediately.
“This must be done in terms of Liquor Act 59 of 2003, City of Tshwane Business Licensing By-Laws, Safety at Public Venues Regulation Establishment of a Joint Community Safety Task Team comprising of SAPS, SOA and community representatives — to identify and monitor hotspots for women’s safety,” said Ramontja.
He said they need a public progress report within seven days — detailing arrests, investigation status, and operational measures. Ramontja said every day of silence is another life lost.
“Every delay buries another daughter. The people of Mamelodi live under siege. It is the constitutional duty of the SAPS, under Section 205 of the Constitution, to prevent, combat, and investigate crime — and to protect the lives of all citizens.
“Failure to act constitutes a dereliction of duty and a violation of constitutional obligations. The Soil of Africa Civic Movement will mobilize its Women’s Chapter to support victims’ families, attend court cases, and monitor police investigations,” he said.
Ramontja said they will engage IPID and the Public Protector to ensure accountability for police inaction. He said they will also organize lawful community demonstrations under Section 17 of the Constitution — until justice is achieved.
“We demand immediate liquor outlet compliance operations and law enforcement agencies should close down non-compliant and criminal-linked establishments. We call upon faith leaders, educators and business owners to unite for community safety.
“The City of Tshwane should deploy law enforcement and liquor licensing units immediately. Every resident of Mamelodi should stand up, speak out, and protect our women because silence is complicity. If the blood of one woman spills on this soil, it stains us all. We will not rest, we will not retreat, and we will not be silent,” said Ramontja.
The Guardian 