Eighth woman found dead as Ekurhuleni murder investigation widens

Police are now investigating the deaths of eight women in Ekurhuleni after confirming the discovery of another woman, taking an already disturbing murder investigation to a new level.

Acting Police Minister Firoz Cachalia confirmed the eighth case on Tuesday night (15 September), but authorities have not yet released details about where the latest victim was found or whether she has been identified.

The development reportedly comes as investigators continue examining a series of women’s deaths reported across the metro in recent weeks. Little is currently known about the latest victim.

Police have not disclosed her age, where her body was discovered or whether her family has been notified. Her case has nevertheless been brought into the wider investigation as detectives work to determine whether the deaths are connected.

Cachalia said the discovery of eight murdered women was deeply distressing.

‘The discovery of the bodies of eight young women who have been murdered is deeply distressing for all of us.’

– Acting Police Minister Firoz Cachalia

 

SAPS has cautioned against assuming that all eight deaths were committed by the same person or group. Investigators are examining forensic evidence and the circumstances surrounding each case before concluding.

The latest case follows several other disturbing discoveries in and around Ekurhuleni. The investigation initially focused on four women whose bodies were found in Kempton Park between July and September. A fifth woman was later found in Olifantsfontein.

On Tuesday, police also reported the discovery of another woman in KwaThema, Springs, while investigators included the case of an unidentified woman found floating in a river in Clayville, near the Mall of Thembisa. The eighth victim has now been added to the growing list.

A high-level multidisciplinary team, led by the deputy provincial commissioner, has been established to coordinate the investigation. Cachalia said police would pursue every possible lead.

‘We will leave no stone unturned to bring the culprits to book.’

– Acting Police Minister Firoz Cachalia

The investigation has also raised concerns about sexual violence. Police previously confirmed that four of the first five women were sexually assaulted. Specialist investigators are now examining forensic evidence, victim profiles and other information that could reveal possible links between the cases.

One of the identified victims was 38-year-old Elizabeth ‘Tsontso’ Moselakgomo, who disappeared after leaving her Rhodesfield home for a run. Her family later identified her body at the Germiston mortuary. Her death prompted Athletics South Africa to call for women to be able to run, walk and exercise without fearing for their safety.

The identity of the eighth woman remains one of the key unanswered questions following Tuesday’s announcement. Gauteng Health has also appealed to families of missing women to come forward as forensic teams work to identify some of the bodies.

For communities across Ekurhuleni, the growing number of cases has intensified concerns about women’s safety, but police have stressed that investigators must allow the evidence to establish whether the deaths form part of one pattern or are separate crimes.

For now, the circumstances surrounding the eighth woman remain unknown, with police expected to provide further information as the investigation progresses.

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