Three of the eight women whose bodies have been discovered across Ekurhuleni over the past two months have now been positively identified, bringing names and personal stories to an investigation that has prompted widespread concern and an intensified police response.
The women are Elizabeth “Tsontso” Moselakgomo (38), Itumeleng Kekana (32) and Dineo Evelyn Motapane (38).
Motapane became the latest victim to be identified after her family confirmed her identity at the Springs Mortuary on Wednesday afternoon, 16 September 2026.
The three women were found in different parts of Ekurhuleni, and police have not established that their deaths are connected.
Elizabeth “Tsontso” Moselakgomo, 38 — Rhodesfield, Kempton Park
Moselakgomo disappeared on 9 September after leaving her home for a routine run.
Her eight-year-old child noticed that she had not returned at her usual time and alerted relatives, prompting a search.
Her body was discovered on 12 September in Rhodesfield, Kempton Park, behind a hotel near the R21 highway.
The family positively identified her remains at the Germiston Mortuary on Monday, 14 September.
Her death drew considerable public attention, with residents and runners demanding answers and greater protection for women.
Itumeleng Kekana, 32 — Pomona, Kempton Park
Kekana was reported missing on 17 July 2026, triggering a search by her family, who visited hospitals, clinics, mortuaries and police stations hoping to find her alive.
Her body was discovered on 3 August in bushes beside Great North Road, near the Max informal settlement in Pomona.
Police reported that she had sustained multiple stab wounds.
Kekana, who was originally from QwaQwa in the Free State, was laid to rest on 22 August.
She leaves behind a 14-year-old daughter.
Her family has appealed to investigators to examine nearby CCTV footage in the hope that it could provide answers about what happened to her.
Dineo Evelyn Motapane, 38 — KwaThema, Springs
Motapane’s body was discovered on 15 September beside a road in KwaThema, Springs, near an old shopping centre.
Her family positively identified her at the Springs Mortuary on Wednesday afternoon.
According to information provided to police by her relatives, Motapane was last seen alive on Sunday, 13 September.
She had not yet been reported missing when her body was discovered.
Acting National Police Commissioner Lieutenant General Puleng Dimpane has conveyed her condolences to the Motapane family and assured them that investigators remain committed to establishing the circumstances surrounding her death.
Five other cases remain under investigation
The identification of the three women comes as police continue examining eight cases involving women’s bodies found across Ekurhuleni since July.
Investigators are working to establish the identities of the remaining victims and determine whether any of the deaths are linked.
Police previously revealed that four of the first five women whose cases were examined had been sexually assaulted.
However, authorities have repeatedly cautioned against assuming that all eight deaths were committed by the same person or group.
Acting Police Minister Professor Firoz Cachalia has announced a R400,000 reward for information leading to an arrest, while the Democratic Alliance has offered an additional R500,000 for information that could assist the investigation.
A multidisciplinary team of detectives, forensic specialists and intelligence officers continues to investigate the cases.
For the families of Moselakgomo, Kekana and Motapane, the confirmation of their loved ones’ identities has answered one question, but the circumstances of their deaths and who may be responsible remain the focus of ongoing investigations.
