Kempton Park lockdown: What to know as another family identifies woman’s body in Ekurhuleni murders

Since mid-July, the bodies of eight women have been discovered across Ekurhuleni, Gauteng, prompting a large-scale police response, a R400,000 reward, and a declaration from President Cyril Ramaphosa that violence against women in the area is a national crisis. Here’s a full, updated timeline, what’s known about the victims, and how authorities are responding.

The Timeline So Far

15 July — A 37-year-old woman was found naked and restrained with cable ties in an open field in Kempton Park. A suspect, reportedly the victim’s partner, was arrested on 17 July in connection with her murder.

3 August — The body of Itumeleng Kekana was found in Kempton Park, following what her family described as 17 days of searching between hope and fear before her identification.

7 September — Two more bodies were found on the same day: the body of a woman believed to be in her late 20s was discovered in a river in Clayville, Olifantsfontein, near Thembisa Mall, found without clothing apart from underwear. A separate, unidentified woman’s body was also discovered in Olifantsfontein that day.

10 September — An unidentified woman was found near Kempton Park, her body naked and in an advanced state of decomposition. Police turned to forensic processes to establish her identity.

12 September — The remains of 38-year-old Elizabeth “Tsontso” Moselakgomo were found partially naked and bruised in Rhodesfield, Kempton Park. Her disappearance after going out for a run over the preceding weekend had already drawn widespread public attention before her body was found. Her family positively identified her on 14 September.

14 September — Another unidentified woman’s body was found in Olifantsfontein after a passer-by alerted authorities. The body was partially naked and bruised.

15 September — The body of a woman was found on the side of the road in KwaThema, Springs, naked and in a state of decomposition.

16 September — The KwaThema victim was positively identified by her family as 38-year-old Dineo Evelyn Motapane, at the Springs Mortuary. Police said Motapane had last been seen alive on the preceding Sunday, and her family had not reported her missing before her body was found.

In total, eight women’s bodies have now been confirmed found across Kempton Park, Olifantsfontein, Clayville, and KwaThema/Springs since mid-July, with investigators working to establish whether the cases are connected.

The Government’s Response

Acting Police Minister Professor Firoz Cachalia announced at a media briefing on 16 September that a high-level, multidisciplinary investigative team has been established, and that police would effectively lock down parts of Ekurhuleni in the coming weeks as part of an intensified response. Operation Shanela, the province’s broader crime-fighting initiative, is being “massively expanded” in Kempton Park and surrounding areas.

“The police will lock down this area in the coming weeks. The community will see the presence of the South African Police Service, and we will mobilise all necessary law enforcement capabilities, working with our communities,” Cachalia said.

He was joined at the briefing by the Minister of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities, Sindisiwe Chikunga; Social Development Minister Dina Pule; Deputy Minister of Police Dr Polly Boshielo; Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi; and Acting National Commissioner of SAPS, Lieutenant General Puleng Dimpane.

A R400,000 reward has been offered for information leading to the arrest of those responsible. Cachalia stressed, however, that the investigation should not rely solely on the reward as an incentive to come forward: “I want to say the police are not depending on offering rewards… What is just needed is your humanity, your self-respect, your dignity, your determination to secure justice for the victims.”

Dimpane confirmed that a dedicated multidisciplinary team of investigators and specialists “continues to work around the clock to establish the circumstances surrounding each case, identify those responsible and ensure that the perpetrators are brought to justice,” and extended condolences to the Motapane family following the latest identification.

A National Crisis

Cachalia described the discovery of the bodies as “deeply distressing,” pointing to the case of Elizabeth Moselakgomo in particular: “The thought that someone can go out on a run to participate in a happy event, never to return home, is too unbearable to think about.”

He confirmed that President Ramaphosa has formally declared violence against women in the area a national crisis, and has directed police to prioritise the investigations. “I have spoken to the Minister of Police and the Acting National Police Commissioner, who have briefed me on the investigation,” Ramaphosa said. “I have directed that these cases be prioritised and that no stone be left unturned in bringing those responsible to justice.”

Cachalia also called on Community Policing Forums, community patrollers, church leaders, and community-based organisations to work with police, while cautioning the public against spreading rumours and unverified claims circulating on social media about the case.

Where the Investigation Stands

As of this report, no suspect has been confirmed arrested in connection with the broader string of killings, aside from the partner arrested in the first, July case. Investigators are continuing to work to establish the circumstances of each death and whether links exist between the separate cases, while police have urged anyone with information to come forward.

FAQ

How many women have been found dead in Ekurhuleni? Eight women’s bodies have been confirmed found across Ekurhuleni since mid-July 2026, in locations including Kempton Park, Olifantsfontein, Clayville, and KwaThema/Springs.

Who are the victims of the Ekurhuleni killings? Identified victims include Itumeleng Kekana, Elizabeth “Tsontso” Moselakgomo, and Dineo Evelyn Motapane. Several other victims remain unidentified as forensic identification continues.

Is there a reward for information on the Ekurhuleni murders? Yes. Police have offered a R400,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of those responsible, though officials have stressed that reporting information is a civic responsibility regardless of the reward.

Why is SAPS locking down parts of Ekurhuleni? Acting Police Minister Firoz Cachalia announced the lockdown as part of an intensified police response, expanding Operation Shanela in Kempton Park and surrounding areas to increase visible policing while the multidisciplinary investigation continues.

Who was Elizabeth Moselakgomo? Elizabeth “Tsontso” Moselakgomo, 38, disappeared after going for a run and was later found dead in Rhodesfield, Kempton Park, on 12 September. Her case drew significant public attention before her family positively identified her body on 14 September.

Has anyone been arrested in connection with the killings? A suspect, reportedly the victim’s partner, was arrested in connection with the first case (15 July) shortly afterward. No arrests have been publicly confirmed in the other cases as of this report.

Has President Ramaphosa responded to the killings? Yes. Ramaphosa has declared violence against women in the area a national crisis and directed police to prioritise the investigations, saying he has been briefed directly by the Minister of Police and Acting National Police Commissioner.