By the time this goes to print, the number may have changed again. As I write, at least nine, possibly ten, women have been found dead in and around Kempton Park since mid-July, most half-naked, several with visible bruising, left along the same stretch of the R21 and its surrounding veld. Police have not confirmed a serial killer, but they have confirmed something almost as chilling: concerning similarities across the deaths. Among them is Elizabeth “Tsontso” Moselakgomo, 38, who disappeared…

President Cyril Ramaphosa will address the nation at 19:00 tonight on the government’s response to gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF), as the discovery of an 11th woman’s body in Ekurhuleni has intensified public concern and demands for urgent action. The timing of the President’s address could not be more significant. The number of women whose bodies have been discovered in Ekurhuleni since July has now risen to 11, with the latest discovery reported in Springs. The cases have sparked fear…

A 23-year-old woman was shot and killed during an alleged robbery in Thembisa on Monday morning, adding to growing concern over the killings of women in and around Ekurhuleni. The woman was reportedly on her way to work when she was attacked at about 5.45 am in Temong, Mapungubwe Street. According to Gauteng police, the woman was shot during the alleged robbery, and her belongings were taken. Her identity is known to police, but her family had not yet been…

Police have arrested three suspects in connection with the murder of Jabulile Ntimba, the ninth woman whose body was discovered in the Dawn Park area of Ekurhuleni, as investigators continue probing a series of women’s deaths across the region. The suspects, a man and two women, were arrested over the weekend by members of the Gauteng Murder and Robbery Unit. They are expected to appear in the Boksburg Magistrates’ Court on Monday, where further details of the investigation are expected…

The discovery of a ninth woman’s body in Ekurhuleni has intensified pressure on police to find those responsible for a string of deaths that has left communities across the East Rand fearful and demanding answers. The unidentified body was discovered in Dawn Park on Thursday morning, bringing to nine the number of women’s bodies recovered in Ekurhuleni over the past two months. According to Major General Fred Kekana, preliminary indications suggest the body was dumped at the scene. The woman…

The discovery of another woman’s body in KwaThema, Springs, has pushed the number of women whose deaths are being investigated across Ekurhuleni to eight, prompting an intensified police operation and a R400,000 reward for information that could lead to an arrest. Acting National Police Commissioner Lieutenant General Puleng Dimpane confirmed the latest developments on Tuesday night, saying the number of cases under investigation had been revised upwards after police identified another case that had initially not been included in the…

The number of women found dead in Ekurhuleni since July has risen to seven, with police confirming that the body of another woman was discovered floating in a river in Clayville on 7 September. The latest discovery, near the Mall of Tembisa, has added to mounting concern over a series of deaths that has left communities across the metro fearful and prompted President Cyril Ramaphosa to direct police to urgently investigate the killings. Acting Gauteng Police Commissioner Major General Fred…

Former Acting Deputy Chief of the Ekurhuleni Metro Police Department (EMPD) Julius Doctor Mkhwanazi, businessman Vusumuzi “Cat” Matlala and Christ Steyn have appeared in the Germiston Magistrates’ Court over allegations involving the illegal use of municipal vehicles fitted with blue lights and sirens. The trio face six counts of corruption, one count of fraud and one count of defeating the administration of justice. Matlala also appeared in his representative capacity for three companies allegedly implicated in the matter, CAT VIP…

Democratic Alliance (DA) Ekurhuleni councillor Kabelo Relitilwe Mahonko and three co-accused will remain in custody after appearing in the Benoni Magistrates’ Court on serious charges stemming from the alleged kidnapping and assault of two men, one of whom later died. Mahonko, 40, appeared alongside Sibusiso Masondo, 43, Muzi Des Godie, 33, and Lethabo Nhlanhla Makgabo, 19, on Thursday on charges including murder, attempted murder and kidnapping. The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) confirmed that the four accused are facing the murder…

The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) in Gauteng has called for the immediate suspension of Democratic Alliance (DA) Ekurhuleni proportional representation councillor Kabelo Mahonko following his arrest on allegations of kidnapping and murder. Mahonko appeared before the Benoni Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday, 19 August, after being arrested in connection with the alleged kidnapping and assault of two men, one of whom later died from his injuries. The allegations have prompted the EFF to question the DA’s response to the arrest, arguing…