Omanghana
Residents of Olifantsfontein in South Africa have held a candlelit vigil for a woman whose body was found floating in a river, amid growing concern over a series of killings involving women across the Ekurhuleni region.
Community members travelled in a convoy from a local police station to the area near the Mall of Tembisa, where the victim’s body was discovered on September 7, 2026.
The woman, whose identity has not been publicly released, is believed to have been in her late 20s. Mourners prayed, sang hymns and lit candles in her memory while calling for accountability and urgent action from law-enforcement agencies.
The discovery has heightened fear across Ekurhuleni, where the bodies of nine women have reportedly been found in different communities over the past two months.
The cases have been recorded in areas including Olifantsfontein, Clayville, Kempton Park, Dawn Park and KwaThema. Police are investigating whether any of the deaths are connected, but authorities have not conclusively established that a serial killer is responsible.
Several victims in the wider investigation have been identified. They include 38-year-old Elizabeth “Tsontso” Moselakgomo, who was reportedly abducted while jogging, and Dineo Evelyn Motapane, also 38, whose body was found by a roadside.
Other identified victims include Gracious Nkomo, 28, whose body was discovered near the R21 highway, and Itumeleng Kekana, who had been reported missing since July.
Participants at the vigil expressed frustration over what they described as delayed communication from the authorities. Residents and activists rallied under the message “Enough is Enough,” saying the killings had left many women afraid to engage in routine activities such as jogging or walking to shops.
Police have established a specialized multidisciplinary team to investigate the deaths and determine whether there are links among the cases.
Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi said investigators were making progress in several of the cases. He warned that those responsible for attacking women had “declared war against the state” and promised a firm response from law-enforcement agencies.
Authorities have advised women in the Kempton Park area to avoid walking or jogging alone, particularly in isolated places, as investigations continue. Residents are also being encouraged to report suspicious activity and provide any information that could assist police.
Source: Omanghana
