What is the latest in Ekurhuleni?

The wave of women’s killings in Ekurhuleni has deepened nationwide concern after the bodies of 12 women were found over two months in the area east of Johannesburg. The South African Police Service says suspects have been arrested in three cases, but investigators have not yet established links between all of the deaths and have not ruled out the possibility of a serial killer.

According to police, the latest three bodies were found between Saturday and Monday morning. Kempton Park remains at the center of the concern. The first case was that of 37-year-old Busisiwe Mahlangu, whose hands were tied with cable ties when she was found on 15 July 2026; a suspect believed to have been her partner was arrested two days later in that case.

Which cases have drawn public attention?

In the following weeks, the bodies of several women, including Itumeleng Kekana, Nomfesane Mjobo, Gracious Nkomo and Elizabeth Moselakgomo, were found in the same area or in different parts of Ekurhuleni. The death of 38-year-old Moselakgomo, who was found on 12 September after a nationwide search, significantly heightened alarm over the series of killings. In many of the cases, victims were found partially or fully naked, and in some there were signs of assault.

One of the latest victims, 23-year-old Boitumelo Gift Mashita, was reportedly shot dead while on her way to work in Tembisa, and her belongings were stolen. Police said her estranged husband, whom they hold responsible in that case, was later found dead in his vehicle in Midrand, adding that no link has been established between that incident and the other bodies found.

What steps have been taken in the investigation?

According to officials, concrete action has been taken in some of the cases:

  • In the Jabulile Ntimba case, two women are on trial on charges of premeditated murder and defeating the ends of justice; a male suspect was released for lack of evidence.
  • After Ntombifuthi Nxumalo was found in a cemetery, a 36-year-old man was arrested on murder charges.

The South African Police Service has formed a special team to review the Ekurhuleni cases and announced a 400,000 rand reward for information leading to an arrest. Police also said it remains unclear whether the death of a young woman found wrapped in a duvet at a dam in Soweto on 20 September is connected to these cases.

What do the numbers show?

President Cyril Ramaphosa described the killings of women as

"a stain on our national conscience"
. Between April and June, 5,427 people were killed in the country, while the South African Human Rights Commission said 569 women lost their lives in the same period. The figure suggests that an average of six women are killed every day in the country, underlining why the Ekurhuleni cases have triggered such a strong public reaction.