The ANC Women’s League held a national prayer and memorial service for victims of gender-based violence in Ekurhuleni on Sunday.

The service took place at 10 am at the Alberton Civic Centre in Alberton, Gauteng. Faith groups, political parties and civil society joined the event.

ANCWL secretary-general Nokuthula Nqaba said the service honours women who lost their lives to gender-based violence and femicide. She called for a united national response to the crisis.

“This national prayer and memorial service is an opportunity for us to honour the many women who have lost their lives to gender-based violence and femicide,” she said.

Eleven women’s bodies have been found in Ekurhuleni, a municipality east of Johannesburg, since July. Most victims were in their 20s or 30s.

President Cyril Ramaphosa addressed the nation on September 29. He called the violence “a source of profound pain and national shame” and announced four immediate measures.

Police have made arrests in three of the killings. They found no evidence that a single serial killer was behind the deaths, but said all possibilities remain under investigation.