# Gender-based violence and femicide in South Africa > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/gender-based-violence-and-femicide-in-south-africa > Updated: 2026-09-17T11:29:56.000Z. Sources: 60. Developments: 3. South African authorities are investigating a series of violent killings in the Ekurhuleni municipality following the discovery of nine women's bodies over a two-month period. The ninth victim, a woman approximately 30 years old, was found near a construction site in the Dawn Park area of Boksburg. The victim was found wrapped in a sheet and showed signs of violence, including a cut throat and stab wounds. Since mid-July, the victims have been discovered across various locations, including Kempton Park, Clayville, and KwaThema. Many were found partially or fully naked, and some exhibited similar bruising. While the South African Police Service (SAPS) has noted these “concerning similarities,” they have not officially confirmed the involvement of a single serial killer, instead exploring the possibility of multiple suspects or distinct incidents. President Cyril Ramaphosa has declared the killings a national crisis, ordering that the investigation be given absolute priority and pledging that “every stone will be turned” to find those responsible. A high-level multidisciplinary task team, comprising detectives, intelligence officers, and forensic specialists, has been deployed to the area. In response to the surge in violence, police have implemented a lockdown in Kempton Park and increased patrols through Operation Shanela. To assist the investigation, rewards have been offered for information leading to arrests, with total potential bounties reaching R900,000. The string of deaths has also prompted the Nigerian Consulate-General in Johannesburg to issue a safety advisory for its nationals in the Kempton Park and Ekurhuleni areas. ## Claims - Nine women's bodies have been found in the Ekurhuleni region over the last two months. (disputed by 28 sources) - Eight women’s bodies have been found in the Ekurhuleni municipality over a two-month period. (disputed by 12 sources) - Police have not confirmed if a serial killer is responsible for the deaths. (corroborated by 28 sources) - The ninth victim, a woman in her 30s, was found near a construction site in Dawn Park. (corroborated by 22 sources) - A suspect was arrested in July in connection with the first body found in Kempton Park. (corroborated by 21 sources) - Police are investigating whether the murders were committed by a single perpetrator or a group of men. (corroborated by 13 sources) - A R400,000 reward has been offered for information leading to an arrest in the cases. (corroborated by 10 sources) - President Cyril Ramaphosa ordered an urgent investigation and directed that the cases be prioritized. (corroborated by 8 sources) - A multidisciplinary task team including detectives and forensic specialists is investigating the cases. (corroborated by 8 sources) - The body of 38-year-old Elizabeth Moselakgomo was found behind a hotel on September 12. (corroborated by 7 sources) - Police will expand visibility through Operation Shanela in Kempton Park and surrounding areas. (corroborated by 6 sources) ## Timeline ### 2026-09-17: Ekurhuleni police investigate nine women's deaths in two months South African police are investigating the discovery of a ninth woman's body in Ekurhuleni, fueling fears of a serial killer after nine women were found dead in the region over two months. 32 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/south-africa-police-investigate-ninth-womans-death-in-ekurhuleni ### 2026-09-15: Ekurhuleni murders: Nine women found dead in South Africa South African police are investigating the deaths of nine women found in Ekurhuleni over two months. President Ramaphosa has declared a national crisis as authorities hunt for potential serial killers. 31 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/south-africa-investigates-murders-of-seven-women-near-johannesburg ### 2026-09-15: South Africa protests erupt over rising femicide and safety concerns South Africans are protesting and criticizing police advice to take safety precautions following a series of femicides in Ekurhuleni and Kraaifontein, demanding state accountability. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/south-africa-protests-erupt-over-rising-femicide-and-safety-concerns --- Cite as: Gender-based violence and femicide in South Africa. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/gender-based-violence-and-femicide-in-south-africa