By Priya Ranchod
The discovery of a ninth woman’s body in Ekurhuleni on Thursday, 17 September 2026, has added further urgency to an investigation into the deaths of women whose bodies have been discovered across the region over the past two months.
The latest body was discovered in Dawn Park, Boksburg, on Thursday morning. The identity of the woman and the circumstances surrounding her death have not yet been established, while police have not confirmed whether the latest case is connected to the other deaths under investigation.
The discovery comes two days after a high level meeting was held at the South African Police Service Gauteng provincial office in Parktown on Tuesday, 15 September, following the discovery of eight women’s bodies across Ekurhuleni.
The meeting was attended by Acting Police Minister Professor Firoz Cachalia, Minister of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities Sindisiwe Chikunga, Deputy Minister of Police Dr Polly Boshielo, Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi and Acting National Commissioner of SAPS Lieutenant General Puleng Dimpane.
Prior to the latest discovery, SAPS had confirmed eight cases involving five women in Kempton Park, two in Olifantsfontein and one in KwaThema.
The investigation was also widened to include the body of a woman discovered in a river near the Tembisa Mall area on 7 September.
One of the victims was identified as 38 year old Elizabeth “Tsontso” Moselakgomo, whose body was positively identified by her family at the Germiston mortuary on Monday, 14 September. Moselakgomo had been reported missing after leaving home for a run.
Police have stressed that there is currently no confirmation that all the cases are connected or that they were committed by one person. Investigators are examining the evidence, circumstances, victim profiles and locations to establish whether links exist between the cases.
A dedicated multidisciplinary team has been established to investigate the deaths. Specialised detectives and other experts are examining forensic evidence, possible connections between the cases and information gathered from the various crime scenes.
One suspect has already been arrested in connection with the first murder recorded in July and remains in custody. Police have also confirmed that another person is being sought as investigators continue following leads.
SAPS has not linked the arrested suspect to the other cases.
Acting National Commissioner Lieutenant General Puleng Dimpane has appealed to families who may have relatives or friends who are missing to come forward and report them to police.
The identification of the victims remains a critical part of the investigation, as detectives work to establish their movements, backgrounds and circumstances before their deaths.
SAPS has placed a R400,000 reward for information that could assist investigators in making a breakthrough in the cases and identifying those responsible.
The Democratic Alliance subsequently announced a further R500,000 reward on Wednesday, 16 September, bringing the combined value of the SAPS and DA rewards to R900,000.
The DA said information must be formally reported to SAPS, with proof of the report provided to the party for the additional reward to be considered.
Acting Police Minister Firoz Cachalia said the investigation would be pursued with the necessary expertise and resources.
He also announced increased police visibility through Operation Shanela in Kempton Park and surrounding areas.
Residents can expect intensified law enforcement operations in the affected areas as police work to prevent further incidents and gather information that could assist the investigation.
Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi has also called for urgent action, while President Cyril Ramaphosa has directed law enforcement agencies to prioritise the cases and ensure that all available resources are used in the investigations.
The latest discovery in Dawn Park has heightened concern among communities across Ekurhuleni, particularly as investigators continue working to identify victims and establish whether any links exist between the different cases.
For detectives, the investigation now involves establishing the identity of the ninth victim, determining the circumstances surrounding her death and examining whether there is any evidential connection to the other cases.
Police have urged members of the public with information about suspicious activity in Dawn Park, Boksburg, Kempton Park, Olifantsfontein, KwaThema, Tembisa and surrounding areas to report it to SAPS.
Information can also be provided anonymously through the MySAPS application.
The investigation remains active, with specialised police teams continuing to work to establish the circumstances surrounding the deaths of the nine women and identify those responsible.
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