Full Breakdown
Ekurhuleni Women Killings: Timeline and Investigation
By Drooid · · How we work
Background & Context
South Africa records one of the world’s highest femicide rates, with an average of 15 women killed daily. The Ekurhuleni municipality, east of Johannesburg, has become the focus of a series of female homicide discoveries that began in July 2026. Police describe the pattern as part of a broader gender-based violence (GBV) crisis declared a disaster by the national government.
Timeline
- July 15 – A 37-year-old woman was found bound with cable ties in Kempton Park, the first known case in the current series.
- September 9 – Runner Elizabeth “Tsontso” Moselakgomo disappeared after an afternoon run in Rhodesfield.
- September 12 – Moselakgomo’s body was recovered behind a hotel in Rhodesfield.
- September 17 – Two women were charged with the murder of the ninth victim discovered on this date.
- September 24 – President Cyril Ramaphosa addressed the GBV crisis during National Heritage Day celebrations.
- September 26 – Police announced another body, raising the confirmed victim count to ten.
- September 28 – A 23-year-old woman was shot and killed on her way to work in Thembisa; the incident was reported by a security-company patrol.
Data & Statistics
- Victims: Ten bodies confirmed by September 26; an eleventh reported on September 28.
- Geographic spread: All discoveries occurred within a roughly 7-km radius in Ekurhuleni, including Springs, Tembisa, Kempton Park and Rhodesfield.
- Age range: Victims have been in their 20s or 30s; several were found partially or fully nude.
- Arrests: Four individuals taken into custody, including a 36-year-old suspect arrested near Tzaneen, Limpopo, and two women charged with the ninth killing.
Official Statements & Responses
Police emphasize that investigations are ongoing and no conclusive link between the cases has been established. The South African Police Service confirmed the presence of crime-scene management and multidisciplinary teams, including the Investigative Psychology Unit, at each discovery site.
President Ramaphosa, speaking on the campaign trail for local elections, expressed sorrow over the tenth body and framed the killings as a national shame on South African men. He announced an upcoming national address on GBV and the Ekurhuleni investigations.
On-the-Ground Reports
Local residents describe heightened fear and altered daily routines. Taxi driver Vusi Khumalo reported a sharp decline in passenger numbers after Moselakgomo’s body was found. Runner Eva Morgan said her all-female running group halted activities pending improved police visibility. Community leader Phakamile Mbengashe condemned the violence as “cannot be normalised” and urged residents to report any suspicious activity.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
- Victim count: Most sources cite ten confirmed bodies as of September 26, while later reports mention an eleventh discovery on September 28.
- Cause of death: Provincial police chief Mthombeni described the September 28 victim as “stoned to death,” whereas the Snl24 report identified the same victim as having been shot.
- Suspect linkage: Two women have been charged with the ninth killing, but police have not linked them to the other cases; a separate 36-year-old suspect was arrested in connection with a different victim, yet his exact involvement remains unclear.
Why It Matters
The concentration of female homicide cases in a single municipality has intensified national outcry over South Africa’s GBV crisis. The investigations have prompted calls for faster forensic processing, increased police resources, and broader societal change to address cultural attitudes that enable violence against women.