Ekurhuleni: 12 Women Found Dead Since July – Investigation Underway
Police in the Greater Johannesburg area have confirmed the discovery of twelve women’s bodies in Ekurhuleni over a span of two months, causing widespread alarm among residents and raising urgent questions about safety and justice.
Timeline of the Finds
- 15 Jul – Busisiwe Mahlangu, 37, found naked with hands bound in Kempton Park. Suspect, believed to be her partner, arrested but no further links to other cases.
- 03 Aug – Itumeleng Kekana, 32, missing since July; body found bruised on a bridge, partially clothed. No arrests.
- 26 Aug – Nomfesane Mjobo, 54, found partially naked with bruises. No arrests.
- 07 Sep – Unknown woman, 20s, body floated on a river in Olifantsfontein wearing only underwear. No arrests.
- 10 Sep – Gracious Nkomo, 28, body found near a major airport, partially clothed. No arrests.
- 12 Sep – Elizabeth "Tsontso" Moselakgomo, 38, found in Kempton Park with bruises after a missing-person search. No arrests.
- 14 Sep – Unidentified woman, body found in Olifantsfontein; identity pending.
- 15 Sep – Dineo Motapane, 38, battered and partly burned body found beside a road in Springs. No arrests.
- 17 Sep – Jabulile Ntimba, 30s, half‑naked and wrapped in a sheet on a road in Boksburg. Two women charged with pre‑meditated murder; suspect released.
- 26 Sep – Ntombifuthi Nxumalo, 20, found in a cemetery in Tembisa, naked with head injuries and stones near her body; a man arrested for murder.
- ?? Sep – Unidentified woman, body discovered in Springs by a security company. No arrests.
- ?? Sep – Unidentified woman, 23, shot in an apparent robbery in Tembisa. Another body found in a Soweto dam; identity unclear.
Community Reaction and Official Response
The spate of killings has intensified fears across Ekurhuleni, particularly around Kempton Park and neighbouring suburbs. President Cyril Ramaphosa declared the murders a "stain on our national conscience", adding that the country already records one of the highest homicide rates worldwide. In the three‑month period from April to June, 5,427 people were murdered nationwide, 569 of whom were women, averaging six female deaths each day.
Police have set up a dedicated task team to investigate the cases and announced a reward of 400,000 rand (approximately 24,000 US dollars or 18,000 pounds) for information that leads to arrests.
What the Investigation Looks For
While three cases resulted in arrests of individuals believed to be the victims' partners, investigators say they cannot rule out the possibility of a serial offender. The bodies were found along the same corridor, often near major roads or bridges, but no direct link between the killers has yet emerged. The task team is examining forensic evidence, CCTV footage, and possible patterns of domestic violence or robbery‑related crimes.
Forensic teams note that the presence of bruises, binding, and in some cases, stone‑related injuries, suggest a range of motives from domestic abuse to opportunistic robbery. The variety of circumstances raises concerns about the prevalence of violence against women in the region.
Moving Forward
Civil society groups and women's rights advocates call for stricter protection laws and better enforcement. Meanwhile, community watch groups have organized memorial runs in Johannesburg to honour the victims and demand accountability.
Authorities urge residents to report any suspicious activity and to cooperate with the task team, stressing that every piece of information can help bring the perpetrators to justice.
