The body was found at the Mooifontein Cemetery in Tembisa South, in the Vusimusi section, on Saturday morning, 26 September 2026. Police spokesperson Brigadier Brenda Muridili confirmed the discovery, stating: "At this stage, we can only confirm the discovery of the body. Crime scene management and all the necessary role players are currently on the scene. Further information will be provided as soon as preliminary investigations have been conducted."
Local television station eNCA reported that the semi-naked body was found at a cemetery. The circumstances surrounding the discovery, including the woman's identity, how she died and how her body came to be there, have not yet been confirmed.
A Growing Pattern of Violence
The nine other victims were mostly in their 20s and 30s, with some found stripped of their clothes and showing signs of sexual assault. The first victim, a 37-year-old woman, was found naked and bound with cable ties on 15 July 2026 in an open field in Kempton Park. A suspect, reportedly her partner, was arrested two days later.
The bodies of six of the victims were found within a 10-day period in September and four of the nine victims were discovered within approximately six kilometres of each other. Several of the bodies were found in open areas near main roads.
Eight of the ten victims have been identified by their families, according to police.
Investigation and Arrests
Two suspects, women aged 31 and 38, were arrested and charged on Monday, 21 September 2026, in connection with the ninth victim, Jabulile Ntimba, whose body was found in Villa Liza near Dawn Park. They appeared briefly in the Boksburg Magistrates' Court facing charges of premeditated murder and obstructing the course of justice and their case was postponed to 1 October for a formal bail application.
Police believe Ntimba's murder may have been the result of a love triangle and investigators have stressed that her case is being treated as an isolated incident. The two female suspects have not been linked to the other eight killings.
A third suspect, a man, was initially taken into custody but was later released without being charged.
Police Response and Oversight
The discovery of the tenth body came just one day after Acting Minister of Police Firoz Cachalia conducted an oversight visit to police stations in Ekurhuleni to assess operational readiness and address the surge in gender-based violence and femicide cases. Cachalia was accompanied by Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi and Deputy Minister of Police Cassel Mathale. The delegation visited Kempton Park and Tembisa police stations, where they inspected GBV desks and victim-friendly rooms and engaged with officials responsible for supporting victims.
Among the challenges identified during the visit were inadequate operational infrastructure, shortages of furniture and technology equipment and human resource constraints. At Kempton Park Police Station, the station commander raised concerns about the Community Service Centre's landline, which affects the station's ability to respond to and communicate with the public.
A high concentration of liquor outlets in the area was also identified as a contributing factor to the high incidence of GBVF and Premier Lesufi pledged to address the matter as part of broader efforts to strengthen community safety and curb alcohol-related violence.
A National Crisis
The killings have reignited national anger over South Africa's persistent gender-based violence crisis. According to the South African Human Rights Commission, 569 women were killed and 1,052 survived attempted murder between April and June 2026.
Gender-based violence is endemic in South Africa, despite years of government pledges to tackle the problem and the declaration of gender-based violence as a national disaster. South Africa has one of the world's highest murder rates, with more than 60 killings a day on average.
Police Appeal for Information
Police have offered a R400,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of those responsible for the killings, while the Democratic Alliance has offered a separate R500,000 reward.
Authorities have urged the public not to spread unverified information about the cases. SAPS in North West issued a statement warning about a social media message alleging that a suspect had relocated to Potchefstroom, stating that no official report or complaint confirmed the claims contained in the circulating message.
Acting National Police Commissioner Puleng Dimpane has appealed to members of the public and families who may have relatives missing from the area to come forward.
The investigation continues, with police examining the circumstances surrounding each death and whether the cases are connected.
With reporting from SABC News, eNCA, EWN, The Citizen, TimesLIVE and South African Government News Agency.
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