Ekurhuleni murders: Police are ‘getting closer to the truth’
· The South African
Police say investigators probing the killings of women across Ekurhuleni and other parts of Gauteng are “getting closer to the truth” as detectives follow evidence and credible leads.
Deputy National Commissioner for Policing Lieutenant General Tebello Mosikili gave the update outside the Boksburg Magistrates’ Court on Monday, 21 September.
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“It is just a matter of time until we find all those responsible for these attacks and the killing of women,” Mosikili said.
She stressed that police would not rush arrests simply to satisfy public pressure.
“We want to make sure that when we arrest, we arrest the right people, based on evidence that can stand before a court of law.”
Mosikili said investigators owed it to the victims and their families to ensure that police build proper cases before taking suspects to court.
Police say teams are ‘on the right track’
The multidisciplinary team investigating the cases has been bolstered with experienced detectives, specialists and other key policing resources.
Mosikili said investigators were scrutinising all available evidence and pursuing every credible lead.
“We are hopeful that we are getting closer to the truth,” she said.
“As we piece together the evidence, connect the information and follow the leads before us, we believe we will get to those responsible.”
Police have, however, urged the public to give investigators space to complete their work.
“Our responsibility is clear: we must identify the people responsible, build strong cases and ensure that the correct perpetrators are brought before the courts,” Mosikili said.
R400 000 reward remains unclaimed
SAPS confirmed that the R400 000 reward offered for information that could help solve the cases remains available.
No one has yet come forward to claim it.
Mosikili said arrests already made followed detective work, intelligence gathering, forensic analysis and the examination of evidence.
“We believe our teams are on the right track,” she said.
Police also assured victims’ families that investigators would continue pursuing those responsible.
“We are going to find those responsible. Each one of them.”
Women named in Gauteng cases
Mosikili referred to several women whose bodies have been found in recent months:
- Busisiwe Mahlangu – found in Kempton Park on 15 July 2026.
- Itumeleng Kekana – found in Kempton Park on 3 August 2026.
- Nomfesane Mjobo – found in Kempton Park on 26 August 2026.
- An unidentified woman – found floating in the Clayville River in Olifantsfontein on 7 September 2026.
- Gracious Nkomo – found in Kempton Park on 10 September 2026.
- Elizabeth Moselakgomo – found in Kempton Park on 12 September 2026.
- A woman whose identity has not yet been released – found in Olifantsfontein on 14 September 2026. Police said her family had still to be informed.
- Dineo Motapane – found in Kwa-Thema on 15 September 2026.
- Jabulile Ntimba – found in Dawn Park, Boksburg, on 17 September.
Police have not stated in this address that all the cases are linked.
Mosikili said every victim represented “a human being, a family and a life that mattered”.
Busisiwe Mahlangu murder accused remains in custody
Police also gave an update on the first suspect arrested in connection with the murder of Mahlangu.
The accused has appeared in court several times and remains behind bars.
He is due back in the Kempton Park Magistrates’ Court on 28 October 2026.
Police probe possible relationship motive in Jabulile Ntimba murder
Mosikili also addressed the murder of Ntimba, whose partially clothed body was found in Villa Liza Township near Dawn Park in Boksburg.
Police believe her killing may have stemmed from a relationship-related matter, including what has been described as a possible love triangle.
However, Mosikili said investigators would not disclose further details because they did not want to compromise the investigation or court process.
“We will leave it to the courts to unpack the evidence and, ultimately, the motive behind her killing,” she said.
SAPS highlights serial rape arrests
Mosikili also referred to two alleged serial rape cases before courts in KwaZulu-Natal.
Police arrested a 46-year-old man in Durban last Thursday and linked him through DNA evidence to 16 rape cases, including 14 in Cato Manor.
Police arrested another man, aged 36, on Sunday.
Investigators have linked him to at least 14 rape cases across KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng.
Mosikili said the cases highlighted the importance of specialised policing, intelligence and forensic evidence in identifying repeat offenders.
More than 17 000 suspects arrested in a week
SAPS also revealed that police arrested 17 270 suspects under Operation Shanela over the past seven days.
The arrests included suspects wanted for murder, rape, drug trafficking, robbery, infrastructure-related crimes and immigration offences.
Detectives also traced 1 936 wanted suspects through intelligence-led operations.
Police arrested 352 suspects for rape nationwide during the same period.
Mosikili warned perpetrators of violence against women that police would continue pursuing them.
“It is just a matter of time until we catch up with you,” she said.
She added that SAPS would not allow pressure to compromise due process or the integrity of its investigations.