Twelve women’s bodies found near Johannesburg in two months

South African police have confirmed that the bodies of 12 women were found in Ekurhuleni, east of Johannesburg, over two months. The latest three bodies were discovered between Saturday and Monday morning.

Police have made arrests in three cases, but say those incidents do not currently appear connected. They have not ruled out the possibility of a serial killer.

Victims and investigation

The first was 37-year-old Busisiwe Mahlangu, whose body was found in Kempton Park on 15 July 2026 with her hands bound. A suspect believed to be her partner was arrested two days later and remains in custody, but has not been linked to the other deaths.

Other victims include Itumeleng Kekana, 32, Gracious Nkomo, 28, Elizabeth Moselakgomo and Dineo Motapane, both 38, as well as Jabulile Ntimba, Ntombifuthi Nxumalo and Boitumelo Gift Mashita, who was 23. Several women have not yet been identified.

Bodies were found in Kempton Park, Olifantsfontein, Springs, Boksburg and Tembisa. Many victims were partly or fully naked and had injuries; Nxumalo was found at a cemetery with severe head wounds, leading police to suspect she may have been stoned to death.

Arrests in three cases

In Ntimba’s case, two women have been charged with premeditated murder and defeating the ends of justice. A man initially arrested with them was released because of insufficient evidence.

A 36-year-old man was arrested after Nxumalo’s death after travelling to another province; he faces a murder charge. In Mashita’s case, police suspected her estranged husband, but he was later found dead in a vehicle in Midrand. Police have found no link between that case and the other deaths.

Separate case in Soweto

On 20 September, the body of a young woman believed to be in her 20s was found wrapped in a duvet in a dam in Soweto, about 63km from Ekurhuleni. Police have not established whether her death is connected to the killings in Ekurhuleni.

President Cyril Ramaphosa called the killings of women “a stain on our national conscience”. The South African Human Rights Commission said 569 women were killed between April and June, an average of six a day; police statistics do not classify homicide victims by gender.

Police have established a task team to investigate the deaths. A 400,000 rand reward is being offered for information leading to arrests.