RismadarVoice Reporters
September 19, 2026
South African police are s investigating possible links between the deaths of nine women found across Ekurhuleni municipality in the greater Johannesburg area over the past two months, as the cases trigger growing public concern over violence against women.
Police have cautioned that they have not established that the killings are connected or that a single perpetrator is responsible, saying investigators are examining several possibilities.
The latest victim was discovered in Dawn Park on September 17, becoming the ninth woman found dead in broadly similar circumstances since July.
All nine victims are believed to have been women in their 20s or 30s. Five bodies were discovered around Kempton Park, while four others were found at separate locations elsewhere in Ekurhuleni.
Four of the nine women have so far been identified, while authorities are working to establish the identities of the remaining five.
POLICE EXAMINE POSSIBLE CONNECTIONS
Gauteng police commissioner Fred Kekana said investigators were comparing evidence, timelines, locations, victim profiles and the circumstances surrounding each death before determining whether the cases were connected.
“Investigators are considering all possibilities, including the possibility of multiple suspects or separate perpetrators,” Kekana said.
The similarities between some of the cases have prompted public concern that they could be linked, but police have urged against reaching that conclusion before forensic investigations are completed.
At least one suspect has been detained and appeared in court this week, according to police. Authorities have not publicly established whether that individual is connected to all nine deaths.
Police have also offered a 400,000 rand reward for information that could assist investigators and lead to an arrest.
RAMAPHOSA DEMANDS THOROUGH INVESTIGATION
President Cyril Ramaphosa has directed police to pursue the investigation thoroughly as the deaths renew concerns over gender-based violence and femicide in South Africa.
Authorities have urged residents to provide information that could assist investigators, while women in areas where some of the victims were found have been advised to remain alert.
Women’s rights organisations have, however, stressed that responsibility for preventing violence should not be placed on potential victims, calling instead for stronger protection, effective investigations and accountability for perpetrators.
The cases have intensified public debate over South Africa’s wider struggle with violence against women.
For now, police say the central questions — whether the nine deaths are connected, how many perpetrators may be involved and whether the detained suspect is linked to the wider series — remain under investigation.
