Ekurhuleni Tragedy: 12 Women’s Bodies Found, Police Seek Public Clues

Tue Sep 29 2026 11:21:37 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

Twelve women's bodies discovered in Ekurhuleni since July. Police urge help and offer reward as investigation continues.

Since July, investigators in the Ekurhuleni region east of Johannesburg have uncovered 12 women's bodies, raising alarm over a possible serial offender. The victims, from 20s to 40s, were found in various locations—Kempton Park, Springs, and Tembisa—with many having been bound, bruised or badly mutilated. Police have arrested suspects in three isolated cases but are unable to connect all incidents, prompting the formation of a dedicated task force and a reward of 400,000 rand for information. As the region’s homicide rate remains one of the highest worldwide, authorities are pressing the public to come forward with any leads.

Ekurhuleni Tragedy: 12 Women’s Bodies Found, Police Seek Public Clues

Police in the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan area, east of Johannesburg, have confirmed the discovery of twelve women’s bodies between July and September, prompting widespread alarm and a call for public assistance.

The victims, ranging in age from mid‑20s to early 40s, were found across Kempton Park, Springs, and Tembisa. In many cases the bodies were partially or fully naked, bound, bruised, or otherwise mutilated, raising concerns of a potential serial killer or coordinated assault.

Police have arrested suspects in three separate incidents that appear unrelated to the other murders. However, they are unable to rule out a single perpetrator behind the spate of deaths.

Key Victim Summaries

Busisiwe Mahlangu (July 15, Kempton Park) – found bound with cable ties; her partner arrested.
Itumeleng Kekana (August 3, Kempton Park) – disappeared in July; body recovered on a bridge, no arrest.
nomfesane Mjobo (August 26, Kempton Park) – body found partially clothed; no arrest.
Unknown Woman (September 7, Olifantsfontein) – found floating in a river wearing only underwear; no arrest.
Gracious Nkomo (September 10, near OR Tambo) – body found near the airport; no arrest.
Elizabeth Moselakgomo (September 12, Kempton Park) – missing runner; body found bruised, prompting major media attention.
Unidentified Woman (September 14, Olifantsfontein) – body discovered, identity pending.
Dineo Motapane (September 15, Springs) – body found burned on a roadside; no arrest.
Jabulile Ntimba (September 17, Boksburg) – found half‑naked; two women charged, one man released.
Ntombifuthi Nxumalo (September 26, Tembisa cemetery) – found naked with head injuries; a man arrested the following day.
Unidentified Woman (September 28, Springs) – found in an open field; no arrest.
Boitumelo Gift Mashita (September 20, Tembisa) – shot while walking to work; her estranged husband found dead; no link to other cases.

The killings have come amid high national violence against women, with the South African Human Rights Commission reporting 569 female murders between April and June 2026—an average of six per day.

President Cyril Ramaphosa has called the killings a “stain on our national conscience” and a dedicated task team has been set up. A reward of 400,000 rand (about $24,000) has been offered for credible information leading to an arrest.

Authorities urge anyone with information—no matter how trivial—about the incidents or a possible pattern to come forward. The investigation remains a top priority as law‑enforcement works to protect the region’s residents from further loss.