Reported by Weng Patrick Atokor l Journalist at Weng Global
South African police have confirmed the discovery of another woman’s body in Ekurhuleni, east of Johannesburg, bringing to 10 the number of women found dead in the municipality and surrounding areas over the past two months.
The latest discovery was made on Saturday, September 26, 2026, at Mooifontein Cemetery in Tembisa South, Gauteng. Police said the circumstances surrounding the woman’s death were still being investigated.
The latest case has renewed concerns about a series of killings that has unsettled communities across Ekurhuleni, while investigators continue working to determine whether the deaths are connected.
Body discovered in Tembisa
The South African Police Service (SAPS) confirmed that the latest body was found at Mooifontein Cemetery in the Vusimusi section of Tembisa South.
Police spokesperson Brenda Muridili said investigators could, at this stage, confirm only the discovery of the body and the opening of a murder investigation.
Reports from South African media said the body was found partly clothed. Details about the victim’s identity, age and the circumstances leading to her death had not been released by police at the time of reporting.
The discovery comes less than two weeks after police confirmed the ninth woman had been found dead in the broader Ekurhuleni area.
Nine women had already been found dead
Before Saturday’s discovery, nine women had been found dead across Ekurhuleni between July and September.
The South African government said the first nine cases included women found in Kempton Park, Olifantsfontein, Kwa-Thema and Dawn Park.
The victims listed by the government were Busisiwe Mahlangu, Itumeleng Kekana, Nomfesane Mjobo, Gracious Nkomo, Elizabeth Moselakgomo, Dineo Motapane and Jabulile Ntimba, alongside two women whose identities had not been publicly established at the time of the government’s September 20 statement.
The first case in the government’s list dates back to July 15, when Busisiwe Mahlangu was found in Kempton Park.
The ninth victim, Jabulile Ntimba, was found in Dawn Park on September 17.
The discovery of the tenth body therefore represents another development in an investigation that has already attracted national attention.
Police have not confirmed a single killer
Despite similarities reported in some of the cases, South African authorities have not confirmed that all the killings were committed by one person or group.
That distinction remains important because speculation about a possible serial killer has circulated widely as the number of victims has increased.
Earlier, South African police and government officials urged the public not to draw conclusions before investigators establish links between the cases.
The police have also warned against spreading unverified accusations against individuals. On September 23, SAPS said a man had reported that his photograph was being circulated on community groups with allegations that he was responsible for the murders. Police described those allegations as unsubstantiated and warned that such claims could put the individual at risk of attack.
Investigators examining possible links
Authorities have established a multidisciplinary investigative team involving specialist detectives and forensic expertise to examine the deaths.
The South African government said the investigation had been elevated and was being coordinated through senior detective leadership after President Cyril Ramaphosa directed that the cases receive the highest level of attention.
The government also urged people with information about the killings to provide it directly to investigators rather than circulate claims on social media.
Authorities previously appealed to families with missing female relatives in Gauteng to contact police and health authorities to assist with identification through DNA procedures.
Government response to the killings
The killings have prompted increased political and government attention to gender-based violence and femicide in South Africa.
President Cyril Ramaphosa said on September 24 that the government would address the nation on measures to confront gender-based violence and provide an update on investigations into the Ekurhuleni killings.
Ramaphosa had earlier said the abuse, rape and killing of women could not be regarded as part of South Africa’s heritage and that women should be able to move around the country without fear.
The government’s Inter-Ministerial Committee on Gender-Based Violence and Femicide also adopted an emergency strategy focused on prevention, law enforcement, protection, justice and support for victims and survivors.
Why the latest discovery matters
The discovery of a tenth woman’s body adds to growing public concern over the safety of women in Ekurhuleni.
The cases have also placed renewed attention on South Africa’s broader struggle with gender-based violence and femicide. Reuters reported earlier this week that police had arrested three people in connection with the murder of one of the women, although investigators had not established a connection between those suspects and the wider series of deaths.
The arrests demonstrate that individual cases are being actively investigated, but they do not establish that the wider group of killings has a common perpetrator.
For communities affected by the deaths, the identification of victims and determination of what happened to each woman remain critical parts of the investigation.
What happens next
Police are expected to continue forensic and investigative work surrounding the latest discovery at Mooifontein Cemetery.
Investigators will also continue examining whether there are connections between the tenth case and the nine earlier deaths.
Authorities have repeatedly urged members of the public with relevant information to contact police directly. The South African government has provided Warrant Officer Elvis Manyike’s number, 082 465 7249, and the SAPS Crime Stop number, 08600 10111, for information connected to the investigation.
At this stage, the identity of the tenth victim and whether her death is connected to the other cases have not been established publicly.
The investigation therefore remains ongoing, and claims about a single perpetrator or a serial-killing operation should not be treated as confirmed until supported by police findings.
Weng Global – Stories beyond borders
Sources
- South African Police Service (SAPS)
- South African Government
- South African Government News Agency (SAnews)
- SABC News
- Reuters
- Associated Press
