THEMBISA, Gauteng — South African authorities are investigating the grim discovery of a half-naked body at Mooifontein Cemetery, marking the tenth woman found dead in Ekurhuleni over the past two months. The latest development in the Ekurhuleni murders has sent shockwaves through the Thembisa community, prompting urgent appeals for safety and a massive, multi-agency law enforcement deployment.
The body of the unidentified woman was discovered just outside the palisade fencing of the cemetery, opposite an informal settlement, at approximately 6:00 a.m. on Saturday. Residents reported hearing screams between 10:00 p.m. and 11:00 p.m. the previous night. A community whistle was blown to gather locals to help identify the victim, but her identity remains unconfirmed, though some residents believe they recognize her from the area.
This latest victim brings the total to 10 women found dead in the municipality. Previously, the nine other victims—mostly in their 20s and 30s—were found stripped of their clothes with signs of sexual assault. The first victim, a 37-year-old woman found naked and bound with cable ties on July 15, led to an arrest two days later. Additionally, two women, aged 31 and 38, were recently arrested and charged in connection with the ninth victim, while another case involving a man is being investigated as a potential love triangle.
The recurring violence has left women in the area living in constant fear. Residents are urgently pleading for national intervention and demanding the installation of streetlights, noting that the area is pitch black at night, making it unsafe to walk home from work. “South Africa help us. Women are dying,” one resident pleaded, echoing the collective anxiety of a community that feels targeted.
Speaking at the scene, the SAPS Gauteng Provincial Commissioner stated that the investigation into the latest body is in its initial stages. While police are investigating each case in isolation, they are analyzing the modus operandi to determine if a single perpetrator is responsible. The Commissioner referenced the terminology of “similar victimology,” a concept cited by scholar Dr. Gerard Labuschagne, to describe the patterns without conclusively confirming a serial killer at this stage. The Commissioner also noted progress in other cases, such as the Dawn Park matter, where suspects have been successfully brought before the court.
To combat the crisis, a highly experienced task team has been deployed under the leadership of Deputy Provincial Commissioner General Lekalakala. A reward of 400,000 has been offered for information leading to the killers. The investigations are being monitored by a core command group that meets daily, which includes the Provincial Commissioner, the Deputy National Commissioner, and the Divisional Commissioner responsible for crime intelligence, General Mkhwanazi.
The police response is part of a broader “whole government approach” following a lockdown declared by the Premier. The lockdown, invoked under Section 231B of the Disaster Management Act of 2002, officially classifies gender-based violence and femicide as a national disaster. Under the Integrated Crime Violence Prevention Strategy (ICVPS), authorities have deployed search and rescue drones, canine units, traffic vans, metropolitan police from Johannesburg, and the national traffic police. Furthermore, over 9,000 “Community in Blue” members have been activated to assist, as crimes are often committed within and by the community.
Defending the effectiveness of the lockdown, which began on the 17th, the Provincial Commissioner highlighted recent operational successes. Since the deployment, police have made over 230 arrests, primarily of undocumented immigrants, closed 14 illegal liquor outlets, and recovered two firearms in the targeted areas. Despite the recent discovery of the tenth woman found dead in Ekurhuleni, the Commissioner assured the public that the highest echelons of the South African Police Service are working tirelessly to resolve these matters and bring the perpetrators to justice.