For Creamer Media in Johannesburg, I’m Halima Frost.

Making headlines: ANC Women’s League calls for debate on death penalty, castration over East Rand killings; Home Affairs relocates 278 Durban asylum seekers to Krugersdorp; And, Mashatile says he is recovering well after minor medical procedure

ANC Women’s League calls for debate on death penalty, castration over East Rand killings

The ANC’s Women’s League said it was “dismayed” by the continued violence against women, with the news of the discovery of a seventh body this morning, in the recent spate of murders of women in the East Rand area.

It called for national budget funding in addressing gender-based violence and femicide and further suggested that police stations be repurposed to prioritise GBVF cases.

Another demand includes a debate on the reintroduction of the death penalty and castration to deter certain crimes.

Yesterday, the South African Police Service issued an urgent safety warning to women in and around Kempton Park, following the discovery of now seven women's bodies over a period of about two months.

Preliminary evidence gathered by the SAPS revealed “deeply concerning similarities” across all crime scenes, with the bodies of the women discovered half-naked with visible bruising.

While SAPS has stopped short of officially declaring the presence of a serial killer, authorities admit the striking similarities are sufficiently alarming to warrant immediate public mobilisation and an intensified criminal investigation.

Home Affairs relocates 278 Durban asylum seekers to Krugersdorp

The Department of Home Affairs confirmed that it is moving 278 people to the Lindela Repatriation Centre in Krugersdorp, in Gauteng, following engagements with relevant stakeholders and representatives of the affected communities.

This morning, the department began the relocation of asylum seekers and refugees who have been camping outside the department’s office on Che Guevara road in Durban, in KwaZulu-Natal.

Government is in discussions with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees regarding possible options to resettle the group in another country.

The Inter-Ministerial Committee on Migration presented the displaced communities with two options: returning to their areas of residence or relocating to Lindela.

Following a series of consultations, the option of relocation to Lindela was agreed on, the department said.

And, Mashatile says he is recovering well after minor medical procedure

Deputy President Paul Mashatile gave public assurances today that he is recovering well following a recent undisclosed minor medical procedure.

Following the advice of his medical team, the Deputy President will continue to rest until he is cleared to return to office full-time.

In the interim, Mashatile assured the public that all his official duties and delegated responsibilities are being managed by his team, alongside key stakeholders in government, business and other sectors.

Mashatile expressed his “deep appreciation” to his family, government colleagues, and the public for their support during his recovery period.

He further reassured the nation of his continued dedication to his role and stated that he looks forward to returning to his duties with renewed energy and commitment.

That’s a roundup of news making headlines today

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