South Africa’s eastern Johannesburg suburb of Ekurhuleni has become the epicenter of a shockingly rapid string of murders.
Since the discovery of the first body on 15 July, police have confirmed twelve women’s remains, all found in the same general area, within a span of two months.
The first victim, Busisiwe Mahlangu, 37, was found naked and bound with cable ties in Kempton Park. Police arrested her partner, who has not been linked to the other victims.
- Itumeleng Kekana, 32, found 3 August in Kempton Park with extensive bruising. No arrests.
- Nomfesane Mjobo, found 26 August, partially clothed. No details released. No arrests.
- Unknown woman, 20s, found 7 September in Olifantsfontein river wearing underwear. No name provided. No arrests.
- Gracious Nkomo, 28, found 10 September near the OR Tambo airport. Partially clothed. No arrests.
- Elizabeth Moselakgomo, 38, a runner missing from Kempton Park, was found 12 September badly bruised. No arrests.
- Unidentified woman, found 14 September in Olifantsfontein; no details.
- Dineo Motapane, 38, was found 15 September in Springs, battered and partially burned. No arrests.
- Jabulile Ntimba, 30s, found 17 September in Boksburg wrapped in a sheet. Two women charged; a man released.
- Ntombifuthi Nxumalo, 10 September, found at a Tembisa cemetery with head injuries; stoning suspected. One man arrested.
- Unidentified woman, 11 September, found in Springs by a security guard; no arrests.
- Boitumelo Gift Mashita, 23, was shot 20 September in Tembisa. Her estranged husband later found dead. No links to other cases.
- Unknown young woman, 20s, found 20 September in a Soweto dam, wrapped. Connection unclear.
Police have not ruled out a serial killer, noting the similarity in victimology – many bodies found largely naked and bruised or far from their homes. The task team has offered a 400,000 rand reward for information leading to arrests.
President Cyril Ramaphosa said the killings were a “stain on our national conscience,” and the human‑rights commission reported 569 women killed between April and June, an average of six a day. The nation’s homicide rate remains the highest in the world.
