South Africa investigates deaths of seven women found east of Johannesburg
Police issued safety warnings across Ekurhuleni after discovering seven bodies over two months, while President Cyril Ramaphosa ordered priority investigations into possible serial killings.
Cluster of discoveries in Ekurhuleni
South African police are investigating the deaths of seven women whose bodies were discovered across the Ekurhuleni municipality, east of Johannesburg, over a two-month span. Several victims were found naked or partially clothed, with investigators noting indications of sexual violence. The first recorded case occurred on 15 July 2026, when the body of a 37-year-old woman was found bound with cable ties in Kempton Park. On 24 August 2026, police located a second victim, aged 32, in the same area. The inquiry expanded on 15 September 2026 after authorities added the 7 September discovery of a woman in her late 20s found in a river near Tembisa, followed by additional discoveries in Olifantsfontein and Kwa-Thema.
- First victim, a 37-year-old woman, found naked and bound in Kempton Park
- Police arrest a suspect in connection with the first victim
- Second victim, aged 32, discovered partially clothed in Kempton Park
- Body of a woman in her late 20s found in a river near Tembisa
- Runner Elizabeth Moselakgomo disappears during an afternoon run
- Moselakgomo's body discovered partially clothed behind a hotel
- Another woman's body found in Olifantsfontein
- Seventh victim found naked and decomposed in Kwa-Thema
Search for jogger Elizabeth Moselakgomo
Public attention intensified following the disappearance of 38-year-old Elizabeth "Tsontso" Moselakgomo on 9 September 2026. Moselakgomo failed to return from an afternoon jog in Kempton Park, prompting her eight-year-old daughter to raise the alarm. Members of her running club and local residents organised search operations and public appeals across social media platforms. On 12 September 2026, searchers located her half-naked body behind a hotel. Relatives formally identified Moselakgomo on 14 September 2026 as police continued forensic examinations to establish the exact cause of death.
Police response and directives
The South African Police Service issued public advisories cautioning women against jogging or walking alone in isolated areas around Kempton Park, located near the country's main international airport. Investigators are assessing whether the killings are the work of an individual serial perpetrator, multiple actors operating together, or copycat offenders. One suspect arrested on 17 July 2026 in connection with the first victim remains in custody. Police spokesperson Athlenda Mathe addressed the scope of the inquiry during a briefing.
While investigations are still underway and SAPS has not, at this stage, confirmed that the deaths are linked to a serial killer, the similarities are sufficiently concerning for the police to issue a public warning and intensify investigations.
President Cyril Ramaphosa instructed law enforcement agencies to assign top priority to the cases, directing officers to leave no stone unturned in locating the perpetrators.
These incidents cause fear and uncertainty in our communities, especially among women.
Statistics on violence against women
The Commission for Gender Equality called for urgent municipal safety audits, including reviews of street lighting, closed-circuit cameras, and transport corridors. According to UN Women, femicide rates in South Africa rank among the highest globally, with women killed at five times the global average. Official crime statistics showed 5,427 murders recorded across South Africa between April and July 2026, representing an average of 45 homicides per day. A 2022 national survey indicated that more than 35% of adult women in South Africa have experienced physical or sexual violence. Acting Gauteng police commissioner Major General Fred Kekana confirmed that detectives continue reviewing unsolved missing-person and homicide dockets across regional stations.
