In a period of two months, at least six bodies of women have been discovered in Ekurhuleni, the east of Johannesburg, the South African Police Service (SAPS) revealed.
Prior to the four which were discovered, two more bodies were subsequently found in different areas of Ekurhuleni on Monday, 14 September and Tuesday, 15 September 2026.
Police confirmed on Monday that most of the victims in the Kempton Park killings had been sexually assaulted. Investigators are working to establish the circumstances surrounding each death and whether the cases are connected.
SAPS has vowed to apprehend those responsible for the murders of women in Ekurhuleni, Gauteng, as the body of a sixth woman was discovered in the area.
In a media briefing, Deputy National Commissioner, Lieutenant General Tebello Mosikili said: “You may think that you have removed the evidence. You may think that nobody saw you or knows who you are. Do not make that mistake. Both the SAPS and EMPD [Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department] has the capability, the resources and the determination to find you. Our investigators are following the evidence. Our intelligence officers are gathering more information.”
“Our tracking teams are following all leads, and our forensic experts are analysing what you have left behind. You have left a trail. And we are following it. We are coming for you,” Mosikili warned.
“No one can outrun the police in this country. Both the South African Police Service and the EMPD is in control of the situation. We understand the fear and anxiety that these murder cases have created, particularly among women and families in the affected areas. [We] have strengthened our deployment. We have brought additional resources onto the ground, and we are tightening our grip on Ekurhuleni.”
“From July to date, we are now dealing with five cases involving the discovery of women’s bodies in the Ekurhuleni area. Already, with the first case, one suspect has already been arrested and positively linked to the murder. We recognise the seriousness of this situation, and we are responding accordingly,” she assured.
In a statement on Monday afternoon, SAPS Acting National Commissioner, Lieutenant General Puleng Dimpane, assured South Africans that the police remain fully committed to protecting women and bringing perpetrators of violence against women to justice.
“We will not rest until we have established the truth. Where there is evidence linking individuals to these crimes, we will pursue them relentlessly and ensure that they face the full might of the law,” Dimpane said.
Dimpane expressed her deepest condolences to the family and loved ones of 38-year-old Elizabeth “Tsontso” Moselakgomo, one of the victims whose body was positively identified by her family. We extend our deepest sympathies to the family and loved ones of Elizabeth during this extremely painful time.”
“The loss of a loved one under such circumstances is devastating, and we assure the family that the SAPS will do everything within its powers to establish exactly what happened to Elizabeth and to ensure that those responsible are held accountable,” Dimpane said.
A multidisciplinary team comprising detectives and other specialised policing resources has been deployed to intensify the investigation into the cases.
To date, the police have arrested one suspect in connection with the discovery of the first body in July. The suspect is still in custody.
