The genus Gymnochiromyia Hendel, 1933 is redescribed. Several new characters are used in the diagnosis, and the characters in the female postabdomen are presented and discussed for the first time. The little that is known on the biology, ecology and distribution of the genus is summarised. Fourteen new species are described from Southern Africa: balteata, capensis, gilva, maculiventris, malagasica, maraisi, megacephala, milleri, nubilipennis, pretoriella, setulosa, spinifera, stuckenbergi and turneri. A key is provided.