An opening letter titled ‘An Open Letter to His Excellency, President Cyril Ramaphosa’ by Lesego Sechaba Mogotsi was published on 22 September 2026 in the Mail & Guardian. The letter calls for reforms in the criminal justice system, stricter criteria for holding public office, and a constitutional review to prioritise victims of violent crime.

Investigation And Official Response

According to the Mail & Guardian, President Ramaphosa extended the deadline for the final Madlanga Commission report. The extension is part of a broader review of state institutions.

The government has pledged to deploy additional resources and technology to tackle GBV in response to the killings of women in Ekurhuleni. This commitment aligns with Ramaphosa’s broader agenda to improve safety and institutional capacity.

Direct quotation from Lesego Sechaba Mogotsi is provided below. ‘The nation requires decisive, lawful and courageous leadership to confront the challenges of crime, corruption and declining public confidence in state institutions.’

Direct quotation from Cyril Ramaphosa is provided below. ‘We’re going to even be deploying more money, more resources, more technology to ensure that we deal with fear that women are now subjected to.’

Context And Policy Implications

The open letter reflects growing public concern about violent crime in South Africa, particularly the killings of women in Ekurhuleni, against a backdrop of ongoing scrutiny of state institutions including the Madlanga Commission. It critiques current correctional approaches and advocates a constitutional focus on victims’ rights.

Timeline material indicates that on 21 September 2026, Ramaphosa addressed the rise in gender-based violence in Ekurhuleni and vowed to increase resources. On 22 September, the open letter was published, marking a deliberate push from civil society toward policy reform.

Observers say the letter contributes to a broader policy dialogue on justice, safety, and accountability within SA’s governance structures. Officials are expected to provide updates on the Madlanga Commission final report and GBV funding decisions in the coming weeks.

Looking ahead, policymakers will need to translate the letter’s provisions into concrete reforms. The next steps include finalising the Madlanga Commission report and implementing the GBV funding commitments, with updates expected in the near term.