In early July, police in the Ekurhuleni municipality, east of Johannesburg, discovered the body of Busisiwe Mahlangu, a 37‑year‑old woman. Over the following two months, 12 women’s bodies were unearthed in the same region, prompting investigators to consider the possibility of a serial killer. Only one victim, Ntombifuthi Nxumalo, has a suspect charged; the rest remain unsolved, and heightened police vigilance continues.
Case 1 – Busisiwe Mahlangu
Mahlangu’s naked body, bound with cable ties, was found on 15 July in Kempton Park. Police arrested a suspect, believed to be her partner, two days later; he has not been linked to the other deaths.
Case 2 – Itumeleng Kekana
Kekana, a 32‑year‑old mother, disappeared in July and was found on 3 August with bruises, partially clothed, and left on a bridge in Kempton Park. No arrests were made.
Case 3 – Nomfesane Mjobo
Mjobo’s body was discovered on 26 August in Kempton Park, partially or fully naked and bruised, but details remain scarce; no arrests.
Case 4 – Unknown Woman (Olifantsfontein)
An unidentified woman in her 20s was found on 7 September floating in a river, wearing only underwear. The family has not been informed yet; no arrests.
Case 5 – Gracious Nkomo
Nkomo, 28, was discovered on 10 September along a road near the airport, partially clothed and naked, with no arrests.
Case 6 – Elizabeth "Tsontso" Moselakgomo
Moselakgomo, a 38‑year‑old runner, went missing while jogging near her home and was found on 12 September, badly bruised and partially clothed. No arrests.
Case 7 – Unidentified Woman (Olifantsfontein)
Another body was discovered on 14 September, also unnamed; police have not released the name, and there are no arrests.
Case 8 – Dineo Motapane
Motapane, 38, was found on 15 September in Springs, with a battered and partly burned body on the road; she left a young child behind. No arrests.
Case 9 – Jabulile Ntimba
Ntimba, in her 30s, was discovered half‑naked on 17 September in Boksburg. Two women and a man were initially arrested; the man was released for lack of evidence; the women faced charges of pre‑meditated murder.
Case 10 – Ntombifuthi Nxumalo
Nxumalo, discovered on 26 September in Tembisa, was naked with serious head injuries and stones nearby, suggesting a possible stoning murder. A 36‑year‑old man was arrested a day later for the murder.
Case 11 – Unidentified Woman (Springs)
An unidentified woman was found on 30 September in an open field in Springs, a security guard's patrol area. No further details or arrests.
Case 12 – Boitumelo Gift Mashita
Mashita, 23, was shot in Tembisa on 20 September. Police suspect her estranged husband, who was later found dead in his vehicle. No link to other cases was established.
President Cyril Ramaphosa described the killings as a “stain on our national conscience.” South Africa’s homicide rate remains among the highest worldwide, with 5,427 people murdered between April and June alone. The police have set up a dedicated task team and offered a reward of 400,000 rand (about $24,000) for information leading to arrests.
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