Gauteng police have confirmed that nine bodies have been recovered in what investigators are describing as the Kempton Park killings, a string of discoveries that has alarmed communities across the East Rand.
Where bodies were found and identities emerging
The first body linked to the probe was recovered in July in Pomona, Kempton Park. The most recent recovery — the ninth — was found on 17 September dumped in open veld alongside Northern Road in Dawn Park, Boksburg. That body has been identified as Gracious Nkomo, 28, who was born in Zimbabwe and had been missing for several weeks.
Police say at least four of the victims have been positively identified by family members. Recoveries have taken place across multiple locations on the East Rand, and the investigation is expanding as teams follow intelligence leads.
| Discovery | Approximate date | Location | Identification |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | July | Pomona, Kempton Park | Not publicly disclosed |
| 9 | 17 September | Dawn Park (Northern Road), Boksburg | Gracious Nkomo, 28 |
Police resources and intelligence support
Deputy National Police Commissioner for policing, Lieutenant General Tebello Mosikili, said police had engaged the Director-General of the State Security Agency to assist with the intelligence component of the investigation. Mosikili described ongoing intelligence operations that have guided where teams should search and what checks are required, including at correctional facilities.
“The intelligence operations are continuing. Some teams have been working throughout the night and have not slept. One team even had to drive to another location… When you don't see us being visible, it is because of the direction that the intelligence operatives are giving us on which areas we need to go to and operationalise,”
Mosikili added that policing teams would remain on the ground and work tirelessly as the probe continues. The involvement of national intelligence suggests investigators are following leads that may stretch across municipal boundaries and possibly involve searches of specific properties or checks on inmates.
Community impact and response
Residents in affected areas on the East Rand have expressed alarm and grief as the discoveries mount. The clustering of dump sites across Kempton Park, Dawn Park and surrounding areas has deepened fears, particularly among women who use the roads and open spaces for exercise and work.
Local leaders and civil society groups are calling for visible policing and faster identification processes so families can be informed and burials arranged. For now, many relatives remain in a painful limbo as authorities confirm identities and cause of death.
What police have said and next steps
- Nine bodies have been linked to the Kempton Park killings investigation.
- At least four victims have been identified by family members; one publicly named victim is Gracious Nkomo, 28.
- Police are working with the State Security Agency on intelligence-led operations focused on at least three areas: Dawn Park, Kempton Park and additional sites under investigation.
Police have not released further details on a suspect or suspects, nor have they provided a public timeline for the conclusion of forensic examinations. Officials have emphasised that active intelligence work may not always be visible to the public, but is guiding operational decisions.
Practical information for residents
Authorities urge anyone with information about missing persons or suspicious activity in the affected areas to report to their nearest police station. Families searching for missing relatives are advised to make formal missing-person reports and to keep in contact with investigators handling those cases so DNA or other identifying material can be matched promptly.
The unfolding probe has left communities on edge. Police say they will continue with intensive, intelligence-driven operations until they can provide clarity and answers to bereaved families and the wider public.
City: Ekurhuleni (Kempton Park / Boksburg)
Reporting from the East Rand.
