Authorities in South Africa are investigating a series of killings in the Ekurhuleni region of Gauteng, where at least 12 women have been found dead since July 2026. The discoveries, concentrated in the East Rand, have sparked a specialized police response as investigators work to identify potential links between the cases.
The 12th victim was discovered on September 14, 2026, in the Olifantsfontein area. Previous bodies were located in various industrial and rural zones, specifically around Kempton Park and Springs. While the South African Police Service (SAPS) has not yet confirmed a single perpetrator, a dedicated task team has been established to prioritize these investigations.
Among the victims identified through police records and family statements are Dineo Motapane and a woman identified by the surname Moselakgomo. The nature of the discoveries has raised concerns about the possibility of a serial offender operating within the industrial corridors of the East Rand, though police have remained cautious in their formal classifications of the spree.
Government Response
President Cyril Ramaphosa addressed the violence in a weekly “From the Desk of the President” letter released on September 28, 2026. The President described the murders as a “stain on our national conscience” and framed the ongoing violence against women as a direct assault on the country’s constitutional values.
The President’s statement coincided with a period of intense national mourning following a separate, unrelated massacre in Lusikisiki, Eastern Cape. On September 27, 2026, a mass shooting at two homesteads resulted in 18 deaths, 15 of whom were women. While the Lusikisiki event is not linked to the Ekurhuleni killings, the proximity of the two tragedies has heightened the national discourse on gender-based violence (GBV).
National Statistics and Ongoing Risk
The killings in Ekurhuleni reflect a broader crisis in South Africa, where quarterly crime statistics recently revealed that 569 women were murdered between April and June. On average, six women are killed every day in the country.
The following areas within Ekurhuleni have been identified as primary sites for the discovery of victims:
- Kempton Park: Targeted for increased police patrols and task team focus.
- Springs: A central location for ongoing forensic investigations.
- Olifantsfontein: Site of the most recent discovery on September 14.
Police have urged residents in these areas to remain vigilant as the task team continues its forensic analysis and witness interviews. No specific suspects have been publicly named in connection with the 12 deaths in the Ekurhuleni spree as of late September.
