Police have launched an investigation after another woman’s body was discovered in Ekurhuleni, bringing the number of women’s bodies found in the area since July 2026 to 10.
The latest discovery was made on Saturday morning, 26 September, in the Vusimuzi section of Thembisa, south of Johannesburg. The incident has renewed concerns among residents following a series of deaths involving women across several parts of the municipality.
The South African Police Service (SAPS) confirmed that a body had been found and said investigators and other relevant role players were attending to the scene.
In a preliminary statement, police said they could not yet provide further details while initial investigations were underway.
“At this stage, we can only confirm the discovery of the body,” SAPS said, adding that further information would be released once preliminary investigations had been conducted.
According to local reports, the latest body was discovered in a cemetery and the woman was reportedly half-naked. Police have not formally confirmed these details, and the identity of the deceased, as well as the circumstances surrounding her death, remain unknown.
Police Yet To Establish Whether Cases Are Connected
The discovery adds to a series of cases reported in Ekurhuleni since July, with bodies found in Kempton Park, Olifantsfontein, KwaThema and surrounding areas.
The circumstances surrounding some of the discoveries have prompted fears among residents that a serial killer could be operating in the region.
However, authorities have not publicly established that the deaths are connected or that they were committed by the same individual or group.
Investigators will need to establish the circumstances of the latest death and determine whether forensic evidence or other information links it to any of the earlier cases.
The growing number of discoveries has also placed renewed attention on the safety of women in the municipality, particularly in communities where previous incidents have been reported.
At this stage, SAPS has not announced any arrests in connection with the body found in Thembisa on 26 September.
Jabulile Ntimba Murder Case Leads To Two Court Appearances
The latest discovery comes five days after two women appeared in court in connection with the murder of Jabulile Ntimba, whose body was found in Villa Liza, near Dawn Park, on 17 September.
Deputy National Police Commissioner Tebello Mosikili previously said preliminary findings suggested that Ntimba’s death could have been linked to a dispute involving a romantic relationship.
Fortunate Masilela and Tsakane Nester Msithini appeared before the Boksburg Magistrate’s Court on Monday, 21 September, in connection with the case.
A third suspect, a man, was also arrested. However, he did not appear in court after the state indicated that it did not have sufficient evidence at that stage to place the matter before the court.
Masilela and Msithini remain in custody and are expected to return to court on 1 October 2026.
Although the arrests represent progress in the Ntimba investigation, police have not confirmed whether the case is linked to the other deaths reported across Ekurhuleni.
The alleged romantic dispute is a preliminary investigative finding relating to Ntimba’s murder and should not be treated as an established explanation for the wider series of deaths.
Police Identify Eight Other Victims
Authorities have also released the names of eight women whose bodies were discovered in Ekurhuleni before Ntimba’s death and the latest discovery.
The victims, listed in the order in which their bodies were found, are:
- Busisiwe Mahlangu, found in Kempton Park on 15 July 2026.
- Itumeleng Kekana, found in Kempton Park on 3 August 2026.
- Nomfesane Mjobo, found in Kempton Park on 26 August 2026.
- An unidentified woman, whose body was found in the Clayville River in Olifantsfontein on 7 September 2026.
- Gracious Nkomo, found in Kempton Park on 10 September 2026.
- Elizabeth Moselakgomo, found in Kempton Park on 12 September 2026.
- An unnamed woman, found in Olifantsfontein on 14 September 2026. Her name has been withheld until her family has been informed.
- Dineo Motapane, found in KwaThema on 15 September 2026.
Ntimba was the ninth woman in the reported sequence, while the discovery in Thembisa on 26 September brings the total to 10.
Police have yet to release the latest victim’s identity or establish whether her death is connected to the other cases.
SAPS has indicated that further details will be communicated once preliminary investigations have been completed.