Pregnant woman's murder at Klip Road Cemetery underscores South Africa's GBV crisis

"She is not gone. She is coming home."

These are the heart-wrenching words of the mother of four-month-pregnant 23-year-old Shanice Rudolph, whose body was discovered hidden in a shallow grave at Klip Road Cemetery, on the eve of the end of the 16 days of activism of no violence against women and children.

The young woman's life was tragically snuffed out before she could realise her dream of becoming a mother.

A 42-year-old man, identified as Rudolph's boyfriend, is expected to make an appearance at the Wynberg Magistrates' Court on Thursday on a charge of murder.

It is understood Rudolph had allegedly been lured out of her home in Lavender Hill on December 4 apparently by her partner and was last seen in Cafda, Retreat.

Police made the discovery of her body on Tuesday following a "pointing out" by a vital witness, which was as a result of the dedicated work of the police, neighbourhood watch teams and crime prevention units and missing persons units.

In a chilling bid to cover his tracks, the killer attempted to hide the body on top of another corpse.

On Wednesday, the City of Cape Town's Recreation and Parks Department confirmed they were part of the formal investigation as crime at cemeteries have increased in recent weeks.

"The City of Cape Town is aware of the matter. Our staff are working with the South African Police Service who is leading the investigation. It would therefore be imprudent for the City to speak on the incident," the City said in response to the Cape Argus when asked what their role was and if they would be prioritising safety and security at graveyards.

Last week, the family of Lillian Jacobs, 72 of Kensington, who died in October told the Cape Argus their chilling discovery of her grave, which was destroyed and her coffin forced open by a grave robber, who stole the imitation gold chain she was wearing, believing it was real. The robber had also checked inside her mouth whether she was still in possession of her gold teeth (dentures).

The family confirmed on Wednesday that after opening a case with the police and suspecting their drug addicted neighbour of the crime, no arrests have been made.

Rudolph's tragic and horrific death comes just weeks after President Cyril Ramaphosa declared GBV a national and global crisis due to the call by organisation, Women for Change, which carried out a nationwide shutdown, calling for it to be recognised as a state of disaster.

GBV activists said in response to the latest femicide, that the reality on the ground signals no meaningful shift in safety or accountability despite "a crisis" being declared.

Police spokesperson, Captain FC Van Wyk confirmed the arrest and that Rudolph was buried at the cemetery: "Grassy Park police registered a murder case following the discovery of the body of a 23 year old woman in a shallow grave, on Tuesday, at Klip Road cemetery.

"She was reported as missing on December 5, 2025 at Steenberg SAPS.

"The circumstances surrounding this incident are under investigation. This case will be transferred to Steenberg SAPS for further investigation.

"A 42-year- old suspect was arrested for murder and will appear in the Wynberg Magistrates court once charged."

The Cape Argus visited Rudolph's family at their home in Lavender Hill.

A photograph of her smiling was placed in the lounge for all to see, as the family battled to come to grips with her death.

Fearing for their lives, the family said they would prefer not to be named.

"She is not gone. She is coming home," were the words of her mother, who held her photograph tightly, shaking with tears and disbelief.

A relative of Rudolph's explained how they had reported her missing: "She is not someone to be away from home for long and when the dad reported her missing at the police station.

"When she was still missing after 24 hours, we went to the police station again, they said we must wait a bit more, perhaps she is upset about something, maybe after an argument.

"We received the news yesterday that she was buried somewhere.

"To have someone in your house, living under the same roof, and for so much harm to be brought to the person that we all cherished and loved, it is hard.

"We cannot explain the pain. She was pregnant with the accused's child."

Her sister, who has two children of her own, said Rudolph had a desire to become a mother: "The only children she had was mine, she used to take my children as hers, she would say it to her two kids as well." She always wanted to be a mother." She loved children and always said she wanted children of her own."

"This is going to be a tragic Christmas for the family."

Veranique "Benji" Williams of Faith and Hope Missing Persons Unit who assisted the family and the police with the search, said they had "pieced" together a timeline and evidence which led to the success of finding the remains: "We went to the house with SAPS, they also did the five point search."I began questioning the parents and family inside the house, what type of person she is and who was with her."

"They said she left the house Thursday morning with the boyfriend, and she returned."He fetched her again and he did not bring her back again.

"We began our search, we learnt he drove someone's vehicle and that his car was at a mechanic which was confirmed." He fetched his vehicle on Thursday but it is understood he told the family he got his vehicle on Friday only.

It is understood that Rudolph's body was discovered after a witness pointed it out to Saps.

Siya Monakali of Ilitha Labantu, an organisation which advocates for the rights of women and children said the reality of femicides were shocking: "The Presidency has long declared the killing of women and gender-based violence as a national and global crisis, yet the reality on the ground signals no meaningful shift in safety or accountability."

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