In brief
South African police confirmed that twelve bodies of women have been found in Ekurhuleni, a region east of Johannesburg, over the past two months. The victims, ranging from 20s to late 30s, were often discovered naked or partially clothed and bruised, with some found on bridges or roads. Investigations have led to a few arrests, but police have yet to find links between most cases, raising fears of a possible serial killer. A taskforce has been set up and a 400,000-rand reward offered for information that could lead to arrests. The killings, part of a broader pattern of violence against women, have prompted the president to condemn the tragedies as a “stain on our national conscience.”
A shocking surge of violence
Police in South Africa have confirmed the discovery of the bodies of three more women in an area east of Johannesburg, bringing the total number to 12 in just two months. These findings—located in Ekurhuleni between Saturday and Monday morning—have created widespread alarm in the region, especially around Kempton Park.
A taskforce has been created to investigate the murders and a reward of 400,000 rand (about 18,000 pounds) is offered for information leading to arrests. The violence is part of a pattern that saw 5,427 people murdered between April and June this year, of which the South African Human Rights Commission estimates 569 were women—a daily average of six.
Case 1 – Busisiwe Mahlangu
Busisiwe Mahlangu, 37, was found naked with her hands bound in Kempton Park on 15 July. Police arrested a suspect believed to be her partner two days later; he has not been linked to the later cases.
Case 2 – Itumeleng Kekana
Itumeleng Kekana, 32, disappeared in July and her body, badly bruised and partially clothed, was discovered on a bridge in Kempton Park on 3 August. No arrests had been made at the time of publication.
Case 3 – Nomfesane Mjobo
Nomfesane Mjobo, 28, was found on 26 August, also in Kempton Park. Little detail has been released, but like other victims she was partly or fully naked with bruises. No arrests have followed.
Case 4 – Unknown woman
An unnamed woman in her 20s was discovered floating in the Olifantsfontein river on 7 September, wearing only underwear. No further details or arrests.
Case 5 – Gracious Nkomo
Gracious Nkomo, 28, was discovered on 10 September near the busiest airport, partially clothed. Police had not yet made any arrests.
Case 6 – Elizabeth “Tsontso” Moselakgomo
Elizabeth Moselakgomo, 38, a regular runner in Kempton Park, went missing on 10 September. Her bruised, partially clothed body was found on 12 September and her death increased alarm about the series of killings. No arrests.
Case 7 – Unidentified woman
A body was found on 14 September in Olifantsfontein, but police have withheld the name pending family notification. No arrests.
Case 8 – Dineo Motapane
Dineo Motapane, 38, was last seen alive on 13 September and found on the side of a road in Springs on 15 September. Her battered and partly burned body left behind a young child. No arrests.
Case 9 – Jabulile Ntimba
Jabulile Ntimba, in her 30s, was found half‑naked and wrapped in a sheet on a road in Boksburg on 17 September. Police say a possible love triangle may have triggered the murder. Two women have been charged; a man was released due to insufficient evidence.
Case 10 – Ntombifuthi Nxumalo
Ntombifuthi Nxumalo, 20, was discovered at a Tembisa cemetery on 26 September, naked with serious head injuries and surrounded by stones—indicating a possible stoning. A 36‑year‑old man was arrested on 27 September and faces a murder charge.
Case 11 – Unidentified woman
An unidentified woman was found in an open field in Springs by a security patrol on 1 October—11th body discovered in Ekurhuleni. No arrest.
Case 12 – Unidentified woman
A 23‑year‑old woman was shot dead in a robbery at her workplace in Tembisa on 2 October. The killer remains unknown. Two weeks later, a body wrapped in a duvet was found in a Soweto dam, 39 miles away. Police are still uncertain if the killing ties to Ekurhuleni murders.
President Cyril Ramaphosa described the killings as a “stain on our national conscience.” The murders echo South Africa’s high homicide rate, underscoring an urgent need for justice and community safety.
