The discovery of a ninth woman’s body in Ekurhuleni has intensified an already urgent investigation into a series of killings that have left communities across the East Rand fearful and police under pressure to establish whether the cases are connected.
The latest body was discovered in Dawn Park on Thursday morning, 17 September 2026. The woman was found on the side of a road, half-naked and wrapped in a sheet. Her identity and the circumstances surrounding her death had not yet been publicly confirmed by police at the time of publication.
The discovery comes just a day after authorities were dealing with eight women’s deaths across Ekurhuleni, with bodies found in areas including Kempton Park, Rhodesfield, Olifantsfontein, Clayville and Kwa-Thema.
Police have not confirmed a serial killer
Despite similarities between several cases, police have repeatedly cautioned against concluding that a single person is responsible.
When the investigation initially focused on four women whose bodies were found in the Kempton Park area, SAPS said detectives had identified concerning similarities. Several of the women were found partially clothed and with visible bruising, while the discovery sites were located in the same broader vicinity.
SAPS subsequently established a dedicated multidisciplinary task team involving detectives from specialised units, including the Murder and Robbery Unit and the Investigative Psychology Unit. The team was instructed to examine whether the cases are connected and to pursue all investigative avenues.
Acting Police Minister Firoz Cachalia has also warned against speculation.
After eight cases had been brought into the wider investigation, Cachalia said it was “premature to speculate on patterns”, noting that investigators could not yet connect the murders to one person or group. He said the police were treating the matter as multiple murders while examining possible links between the cases.
Police have therefore not officially described the deaths as the work of a serial killer.
Authorities say the similarities are serious
Although a link has not been established, SAPS has acknowledged that the circumstances surrounding several of the deaths are sufficiently concerning to warrant a specialised investigation.
On 14 September, SAPS said detectives had found similarities in the circumstances surrounding four deaths in the Kempton Park area. The police said some victims were found half-naked with visible bruising and that the discovery sites were in close proximity.
Acting National Commissioner Lieutenant General Puleng Dimpane previously said SAPS would “leave no stone unturned” in identifying, tracing and bringing those responsible to justice.
Additional detectives, intelligence officers, forensic experts and other specialised resources have been deployed as investigators work through the cases and look for possible connections.
The investigation has now widened beyond Kempton Park
The cases are no longer confined to Kempton Park.
Police have been investigating deaths in several parts of Ekurhuleni, including Olifantsfontein, Clayville and Kwa-Thema. The inclusion of additional cases has widened the geographic scope of the investigation and increased the number of women whose deaths detectives are examining for possible connections.
Among the identified victims is 38-year-old Elizabeth “Tsontso” Moselakgomo, who disappeared after leaving her home for a run on 9 September. Her body was later positively identified by her family. She was described as a mother, a centre manager and an avid runner.
Only some of the women whose bodies have been discovered have been formally identified, with police appealing to families who have missing relatives to come forward and assist with the identification process.
Ramaphosa says the cases must be prioritised
President Cyril Ramaphosa has directed law-enforcement agencies to prioritise the investigation.
In a statement issued on 15 September, Ramaphosa said the killings had caused fear and uncertainty, particularly among women, and said police and other law-enforcement agencies were working urgently to establish the facts.
He said he had spoken to the Police Minister and Acting National Police Commissioner and had instructed that the cases be prioritised, adding that “no stone” should be left unturned in bringing those responsible to justice.
The Presidency has since said the murders have received the highest level of attention from government and law enforcement, with a multidisciplinary specialised team working around the clock to identify and apprehend those responsible.
Deputy President Paul Mashatile also condemned the killings on 16 September, calling on law-enforcement agencies to work with communities and other stakeholders to ensure that those responsible are brought to book.
Ninth body discovered as investigation continues
The Dawn Park discovery represents the latest development in an investigation that has rapidly expanded over the past two months.
At this stage, authorities have not publicly identified the woman found in Dawn Park, nor have they confirmed whether her death is connected to the other cases.
That distinction is important because investigators have stressed that similarities between cases do not, by themselves, establish that the same perpetrator was responsible.
The latest discovery is nevertheless likely to add further urgency to an investigation already involving multiple specialised police units.
Police are asking anyone with information that could assist the investigation to contact Warrant Officer Elvis Manyike on 082 465 7249. Government has also urged members of the public not to circulate unverified information about the victims or the investigation, warning that speculation could cause further distress to affected families or compromise the investigation.
The Dawn Park case remains a developing investigation, and further information about the woman’s identity, cause of death and whether police believe her death is connected to the other cases is expected to emerge as detectives process the scene and evidence.
