Three suspects to appear in Boksburg over ninth Ekurhuleni killing

Anticipation is building outside the Boksburg Magistrate’s Court as three suspects prepare to appear in connection with the murder of Jabulile Ntimba, the ninth woman found dead in a series of discoveries across Ekurhuleni.

Who is due in court

According to IOL, the three suspects a man and two women were arrested over the weekend by the Gauteng Murder and Robbery Unit after Ntimba’s body was found in Dawn Park. Their court appearance was expected to begin at 11am on Monday, with a heavy media presence anticipated outside the court.

Victim and circumstances

According to IOL, Jabulile Ntimba, believed to be about 30, was found on September 17 in an open area on Lama Street in Villa Lisa, Dawn Park. IOL reports she was partially clothed and had suffered a fatal throat injury.

Series of related discoveries

According to IOL, Ntimba’s death was the latest in a sequence of nine cases involving women whose bodies were discovered across Ekurhuleni and surrounding areas over a period of about two months. IOL detailed the other eight cases:

• Busisiwe Mahlangu, 37, found on July 15 in a field in Kempton Park, naked with her hands bound with cable ties.
• Itumeleng Kekana, 32, who went missing on July 17; her body was found on August 3 along Great North Road in Pomona.
• Nomfesane Mjobo, found dead in the Kempton Park area on August 26.
• An unidentified woman found floating in a river in Clayville on September 7, wearing only her underwear.
• Gracious Nkomo, 28, found near the R21 in Kempton Park on September 10, partially clothed.
• Elizabeth “Tsontso” Moselakgomo, 38, found dead behind a hotel in Rhodesfield after going for a run.
• An unidentified woman found in Olifantsfontein on September 14, reportedly semi-naked and with bruising.
• Dineo Evelyn Motapane, 38, found beside a road in KwaThema, Springs on September 15; preliminary pathology findings indicated she had been strangled.

Police response and investigation

According to IOL, the arrests followed three suspects initially being called in for questioning after the discovery of the bodies. IOL reports police have intensified their investigation and that senior law-enforcement officials have been brought in to assist.

According to IOL, Acting Police Minister Firoz Cachalia said:

“The community in Ekurhuleni needs to understand that their safety is our priority.”

According to IOL, Acting National Commissioner of the South African Police Service, Lieutenant-General Puleng Dimpane, said:

“Our investigators are following all available leads and are working tirelessly to bring those responsible to justice.”

What to expect

According to IOL, media gathered outside Boksburg Magistrate’s Court for the scheduled 11am appearance as the investigation continues and authorities pursue leads in the nine related cases.