New discovery deepens fear across Kempton Park and Ekurhuleni
Police in Ekurhuleni confirmed on Thursday that the body of a woman believed to be in her 30s was found dumped on the side of the road in Dawn Park, Boksburg. The discovery is the ninth body found since mid-July in a string of deaths across the metro that began with a body discovered in Kempton Park on 15 July.
The latest victim was reported to have bruises and stab wounds and was found half‑naked and wrapped in a sheet, police said. Her identity has not yet been released.
Police response and investigation
Authorities have assembled a multidisciplinary team consisting of detectives, intelligence officers and forensic specialists to determine whether the cases are linked, the police said. Investigators are also pursuing a person of interest, though they have not disclosed further details.
Two of the nine victims have been identified so far: Itumeleng Kekana, who had been missing since July, and 38‑year‑old Dineo Evelyn Motapane, whose body was found by the roadside in KwaThema earlier this week. Police stress they have not yet established whether all nine deaths are connected or whether one offender is responsible.
- First discovery: 15 July – Kempton Park
- Other locations with bodies found: Olifantsfontein, Clayville, KwaThema and Dawn Park
- Current status: multidisciplinary investigative team active; a suspect arrested after the first discovery remains in custody but has not been linked to the other deaths
“We are scared to come out of our houses. We are scared to go to the shops. We are no longer free in a country where we are supposed to be safe as women,”
Local resident Bongeka Sebela was among several people quoted in reports expressing fear and anger at the spate of killings. The discoveries have sparked anxiety across Kempton Park and neighbouring townships, with many women saying they feel unsafe leaving their homes.
Community impact and calls for action
The series of deaths has mobilised communities and civil society groups to call for urgent action, better policing visibility and faster forensic processing. Residents say the pattern of victims being found partially clothed and with injuries has intensified concerns that a violent predator may be operating in the area, though police have repeatedly cautioned against drawing conclusions until forensic links are confirmed.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Number of bodies found | 9 (since 15 July) |
| Locations | Kempton Park, Olifantsfontein, Clayville, KwaThema, Dawn Park |
| Known identified victims | Itumeleng Kekana; Dineo Evelyn Motapane (38) |
| Police action | Multidisciplinary team; person of interest being pursued; earlier suspect remains in custody |
Police have were careful to emphasise that despite the arrests and investigations, a definitive link between the cases remains to be proven. For residents that caution provides little comfort: many say they have curtailed usual activities and avoid walking alone, especially after dark.
Community leaders and gender‑based violence organisations have renewed calls for increased community policing forums, better lighting at streets and interventions aimed at protecting vulnerable women. Crime watchers say swift forensic results and clear communication from police will be crucial to restore confidence.
For now, the string of discoveries has left families grieving and communities on edge. Police have urged anyone with information about the cases or the person of interest to contact their local station as enquiries continue.
