A silent gathering against femicide will take place at Constitution Hill’s Women’s Jail in Braamfontein, Johannesburg, on Friday, 25 September 2026, from 12:00 to 14:00. The event, titled Warm Bodies @ The Women’s Jail, invites members of the public to gather in solidarity following the recent deaths of women in Ekurhuleni and wider concerns about gender based violence in South Africa. According to the event announcement, attendees are asked to wear black, with the historic Women’s Jail serving as the venue for the two hour gathering.
The event is presented as an opportunity for collective expression, remembrance and solidarity with people affected by femicide and gender based violence.
Its announcement follows a series of deaths in Ekurhuleni that have prompted police investigations and public concern about women’s safety.
ALSO READ: Ekurhuleni Deaths: Ninth (9) Woman Found as Police Investigate Separate Fatal Incidents
Constitution Hill Silent Gathering: Date, Time and Venue
The event announcement provides the following details for people planning to attend:
- Event: Warm Bodies @ The Women’s Jail
- Date: Friday, 25 September 2026
- Time: 12:00 to 14:00
- Venue: Women’s Jail, Constitution Hill, Braamfontein, Johannesburg
- Dress code: Black
- Format: Silent gathering
- Purpose: Mobilising against femicide and expressing solidarity
The announcement carries the message “Let’s Act in Solidarity” and calls on members of the public to come together in response to gender based violence.
The gathering will take place at the Women’s Jail, one of the historic sites within the Constitution Hill precinct.
The announcement does not specify whether advance registration is required or whether a formal programme will take place during the gathering.
Prospective attendees should consult Constitution Hill’s official communication channels for any additional arrangements.
Gathering Follows Concern Over Ekurhuleni Murders
The event comes amid investigations into the deaths of women whose bodies have been discovered in different parts of Ekurhuleni.
By 18 September, reports indicated that nine women’s bodies had been found across the municipality over approximately two months.
Police have deployed specialised investigators to examine the circumstances surrounding the deaths and determine whether any of the cases are connected.
Authorities have not established that all nine deaths were caused by the same person or group.
The investigations have prompted public concern, with residents calling for improved safety and progress in identifying those responsible.
The gathering at Constitution Hill provides a separate space for members of the public to acknowledge the deaths and express solidarity with affected families and communities.
Government Calls for Action Against Gender Based Violence
Deputy President Paul Mashatile condemned the recent killings in a statement issued on Wednesday, 16 September 2026.
Mashatile, who chairs the Justice, Crime Prevention and Security Cluster Cabinet Committee, extended condolences to the families of the women who had died.
He urged law enforcement agencies to work with communities and other stakeholders to ensure that those responsible are held accountable.
The Deputy President also called on men to take an active role in addressing violence against women.
His statement followed similar concerns raised by President Cyril Ramaphosa, who called for thorough police investigations into the deaths.
Police have continued investigating the individual cases while examining whether evidence establishes connections between them.
Why the Women’s Jail Was Chosen
The Women’s Jail forms part of Constitution Hill, a historic precinct associated with South Africa’s constitutional democracy and the country’s history of imprisonment and resistance.
The site once held women under oppressive prison conditions, including during apartheid.
Today, the former prison forms part of a heritage precinct that preserves and interprets the experiences of people who were incarcerated there.
The event announcement identifies the Women’s Jail as a place associated with women’s resilience and the preservation of their voices.
Holding the gathering at this location connects the event’s focus on women’s safety and human rights with the historical significance of the venue.
The precinct is situated in Braamfontein, making it accessible to people travelling from different parts of Johannesburg and surrounding areas.
Attendees should confirm transport arrangements and any venue access information before travelling.
What Will Happen at the Silent Gathering?
The event has been described as a silent gathering, with participants invited to assemble at the Women’s Jail between midday and 14:00.
The organisers have asked attendees to wear black.
The announcement does not provide details of speeches, performances, a march or other scheduled activities.
It also does not confirm whether participants will be required to bring any materials.
The event’s stated focus is solidarity and mobilisation against femicide.
Members of the public should therefore rely on official event updates for any changes to the programme or arrangements.
Public Invited to Share Messages of Support
Alongside the gathering, Constitution Hill has invited members of the public to submit messages of support.
According to the event announcement, these messages are intended to be shared more widely as part of the solidarity initiative.
The invitation provides an additional way for people to participate in the initiative even if they cannot attend the gathering in person.
The supplied announcement refers to a submission link but does not include a direct web address for the form.
Anyone wishing to submit a message should check Constitution Hill’s official channels for the correct submission details.
Personal information should only be shared through verified channels.
What This Means for Gauteng Residents
The gathering offers Gauteng residents an opportunity to participate in a public event responding to concerns about femicide and gender based violence.
It follows a period in which the discovery of women’s bodies in Ekurhuleni has raised questions about safety and the progress of police investigations.
The event does not replace criminal investigations, legal proceedings or support services for survivors and affected families.
Instead, its stated purpose is to provide a space for solidarity and collective expression.
Residents who plan to attend should note the date, time, venue and black dress code.
Those who cannot attend may be able to participate by submitting a message of support through Constitution Hill’s official channels.
People with information about the Ekurhuleni deaths should report it to the police rather than circulate unverified allegations.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the Constitution Hill gathering against femicide?
The gathering will take place on Friday, 25 September 2026, from 12:00 to 14:00.
Where will the event take place?
It will be held at the Women’s Jail at Constitution Hill in Braamfontein, Johannesburg.
What is the dress code?
The event announcement asks attendees to wear black.
Is the gathering connected to the Ekurhuleni murders?
The gathering follows public concern about the recent deaths of women in Ekurhuleni and addresses the broader issue of femicide. It is a solidarity event, not part of the police investigation.
Do attendees need to register?
The supplied announcement does not specify whether registration is required. Attendees should check Constitution Hill’s official communication channels for updates.
Silent Gathering Scheduled for 25 September
Constitution Hill’s Warm Bodies @ The Women’s Jail gathering is scheduled for Friday, 25 September, from midday until 14:00.
The event brings members of the public together at a historic Johannesburg site in response to femicide and gender based violence.
With investigations into the deaths of women in Ekurhuleni continuing, the gathering will provide an opportunity for residents to express solidarity while authorities pursue the criminal cases.
Attendees are asked to wear black and should confirm any additional arrangements through Constitution Hill before the event.
