Fears of serial killer grow as ninth woman's body found in South Africa

Suspicious deaths of nine women have been reported over two months in Ekurhuleni, east of Johannesburg, raising fears that a serial killer or group may be responsible.

The latest dead body found is of a woman in her 30s, half-naked and wrapped in a sheet by a passerby near a construction site in Dawn Park on Thursday, September 17. She appeared to have a stab wound to her side, and her throat had allegedly been cut.

In the series of these deaths, the first body was discovered in Kempton Park on July 15, naked, and restrained with cable ties. A suspect, the victim’s boyfriend, was arrested but has not been linked to other cases.

Another identified victim is 38-year-old Elizabeth “Tsontso” Moselakgomo, a mother and runner who disappeared during an afternoon jog on September 9, 2026. Her body was found three days later. Other victims include Itumeleng Kekana and Dineo Evelyn Motapane.

These deaths revealed a recurring pattern: All victim women in their 20s or 30s, found almost naked or partially clothed, some with bruising. The dead bodies were found around areas like Kempton Park, Olifantsfontein, Clayville, KwaThema, Rhodesfield, Pomona, and Dawn Park.

Police have assembled a multidisciplinary team now, which is set to examine possible links. Gauteng police commissioner Fred Kekana warned against prematurely declaring a serial killer but said similarities are “sufficiently concerning.” A R400,000 ($24,000) reward is offered for possible information.