Ekurhuleni Killings: Three Arrested Over Ninth Victim’s Murder as Tenth Body Emerges
Updated: 21 September 2026
Police have made their first breakthrough in the Ekurhuleni murders investigation. Three suspects — one man and two women — were arrested over the weekend in connection with the murder of the ninth victim, whose body was found in Villa Liza, near Dawn Park, Boksburg, on 17 September.
The trio is expected to appear before the Boksburg Magistrate‘s Court today, Monday, 21 September 2026.
The development comes as a separate, tenth body has been discovered elsewhere in Gauteng — police have not yet confirmed whether this is connected to the Ekurhuleni series.
The Arrest: What’s Confirmed
Gauteng police spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe confirmed that members of the Gauteng Murder and Robbery Unit arrested the three suspects over the weekend in connection specifically with the ninth victim’s murder. The court is expected to disclose further details about the case and the charges against the suspects during today’s appearance.
Acting National Police Commissioner Lieutenant-General Puleng Dimpane said all nine murder cases remain under priority investigation:
“We remain committed to ensuring that these investigations are pursued with the urgency and determination they require. Our investigators are following all available leads and are working tirelessly to bring those responsible to justice.”
Important distinction: this arrest relates specifically to the ninth victim’s case. Police have not stated that these three suspects are connected to any of the other eight cases under investigation — that determination remains part of the ongoing, wider inquiry.
About the Ninth Victim
The woman, believed to be in her twenties, was found partially clothed at a development site in Villa Liza, near Dawn Park, on Thursday, 17 September. Police said she had suffered severe injuries. Her identity had not been publicly confirmed at the time of the arrests.
A Tenth Body Has Now Emerged
Separately, police confirmed the discovery of a tenth body in Gauteng in recent months, though it remains unclear whether this case is linked to the Ekurhuleni series. Police spokesperson Colonel Dimakatso Nevhuhulwi said the body, believed to belong to a woman in her twenties, was discovered at approximately 5pm, with the circumstances surrounding the death still unknown at this stage.
Acting Police Minister Firoz Cachalia has said investigators have not confirmed the presence of a serial killer operating in Ekurhuleni, but with nine — now potentially ten — women found dead in recent months, the possibility has not been ruled out either.
The Government Response Is Escalating
The arrests come after Acting Police Minister Firoz Cachalia disclosed further details following an Inter-Ministerial Committee (IMC) meeting on Sunday. Additional senior resources have now been assigned to the investigation:
- Lieutenant-General Dumisani Khumalo, Crime Intelligence head
- Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, KwaZulu-Natal provincial police commissioner
Cachalia also confirmed increased police deployments across affected parts of Ekurhuleni, including KwaThema, Nigel, and Dawn Park, with these areas placed under lockdown conditions. Speaking on the response, Cachalia said:
“The community in Ekurhuleni needs to understand that their safety is our priority, and that we are deploying these resources to assure them.”
Four Victims Now Publicly Identified
As the investigation has developed, four of the nine women have now been formally identified:
- Itumeleng Kekana, 32
- Elizabeth “Tsontso” Moselakgomo, 38
- Dineo Evelyn Motapane, 38
- Gracious Nkomo, 28 — identified by her family at Germiston Mortuary after being found along the R21 in Kempton Park
The remaining victims, including the woman found in Villa Liza, had not been publicly identified as of this update.
Where the Bodies Were Found
The nine confirmed Ekurhuleni cases span several areas across the East Rand:
- Four women found in Rhodesfield, Kempton Park
- Two women found in Olifantsfontein
- One woman found near the Mall of Tembisa
- One woman found dumped in front of a clinic in KwaThema
- One woman (the ninth) found in Villa Liza, near Dawn Park
What Remains Unconfirmed
Despite the arrests, several central questions remain open:
- Are the three suspects connected to any of the other eight cases, or only the ninth?
- Is the newly discovered tenth body part of the same series of killings?
- Is there a single perpetrator, multiple perpetrators, or separate unrelated cases within the nine (or ten) deaths?
- What specific charges will be brought against the three suspects in court today?
Police say further details are expected to be presented in court.
Police Appeal for Information
Police continue to ask anyone with credible information to come forward via Crime Stop on 08600 10111 or the MySAPS App, and have repeated their appeal for the public to avoid spreading unverified accusations or attempting to identify suspects online.
Frequently Asked Questions
Have suspects been arrested in the Ekurhuleni killings? Yes. Three suspects — one man and two women — were arrested over the weekend of 20-21 September 2026 in connection specifically with the ninth victim’s murder, and are due to appear in the Boksburg Magistrate’s Court.
Are the three suspects linked to all nine murders? No confirmation of this has been made. The arrests relate specifically to the ninth victim’s case; police have not stated a connection to the other eight cases.
Is there a tenth victim? A tenth body has been discovered in Gauteng, but police have not confirmed whether it’s connected to the Ekurhuleni series.
How many of the victims have been identified? Four: Itumeleng Kekana (32), Elizabeth “Tsontso” Moselakgomo (38), Dineo Evelyn Motapane (38), and Gracious Nkomo (28).
Where was the ninth victim found? At a development site in Villa Liza, near Dawn Park, Boksburg, on 17 September 2026.
Is there a serial killer operating in Ekurhuleni? Not officially confirmed. Acting Police Minister Firoz Cachalia has said the possibility has not been ruled out, but investigators have not established this as fact.
This is a developing story. Details regarding the specific charges against the three suspects, the identity of the ninth victim, and any connection to the newly discovered tenth body are expected to emerge from today’s court appearance and ongoing investigation. This article will be updated as confirmed information becomes available.
