In brief
Since mid‑July a string of 12 women have been found dead in the Ekurhuleni area east of Johannesburg. Police have arrested suspects in three isolated cases but remain uncertain whether a single perpetrator is involved. The murders include a range of victims – from teenage girls to middle‑aged mothers – all found in stark, often naked poses. A specialised task team has been launched with a 400,000 rand reward for information, while President Cyril Ramaphosa has called the killings a stain on the nation’s conscience. The investigations now face a critical juncture as authorities confront the depth of violence against women across South Africa.
The discovery of a third pair of bodies in Ekurhuleni on Monday raised the count of women found dead in the region to twelve in just two months. Police say the killings feed into an already grim picture of violence against women in South Africa.
The Cases
- Busisiwe Mahlangu – 37, found on 15 July in Kempton Park, naked and bound. Her lover was arrested two days later; no connection to other deaths confirmed.
- Itumeleng Kekana – 32, vanished in July; body discovered 3 August, bruised, partially clothed on a bridge. No arrest yet.
- Nomfesane Mjobo – 28, found 26 August in Kempton Park, partially or fully naked with bruises. No suspect known.
- Unknown woman – Olifantsfontein – 20s, found 7 September floating in a river wearing only underwear. No details released.
- Gracious Nkomo – 28, discovered 10 September near the airport, partially clothed. No arrests.
- Elizabeth "Tsontso" Moselakgomo – 38, missing during a run, body found 12 September, badly bruised and partially clothed. No arrests.
- Unidentified woman – Olifantsfontein – body found 14 September, name withheld until family is notified. No arrests.
- Dineo Motapane – 38, body found 15 September in Springs, battered and partly burned on the road. No arrests yet.
- Jabulile Ntimba – 30s, discovered 17 September in Boksburg, half‑naked, wrapped in a sheet. Two women arrested; one man released.
- Ntombifuthi Nxumalo – 26 September, found in a Tembisa cemetery, naked with head injuries and stones nearby. A 36‑year‑old man arrested a day later on a murder charge.
- Unidentified woman – Springs – body found 20 September, field discovery by security company. No arrests.
- Boitumelo Gift Mashita – 23, shot in Tembisa 20 September while en route to work, belongings taken. Estranged husband found dead later; no link confirmed.
Police Response
Police have identified three arrests but suspect the remaining cases may belong to a serial killer, according to officials. A dedicated task team now works night‑and‑day, offering a 400,000 rand reward for actionable leads. President Cyril Ramaphosa has described the killings as a “stain on our national conscience” and urged swift justice.
Broader Context
South Africa recorded 5,427 murders from April to June, with 569 women killed between those months – an average of six daily. The latest series of killings heightens anxiety across the province and underscores the urgent need for systemic change to protect women.
Police continue to investigate potential links between the bodies, while community leaders and advocacy groups demand transparency and stronger protections. The killings have sparked memorial runs and city‑wide vigils, testifying to the collective demand for accountability.
Next Steps
Investigators will keep the public updated as more evidence emerges and the possibility of a single perpetrator becomes clearer. In the meantime, authorities urge witnesses or anyone with information to come forward through established hotlines.
