Ramaphosa vows justice after seven women found dead near Johannesburg

September 15, 2026 at 11:01 PM2 min

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South African President Cyril Ramaphosa vowed that "no stone will be left unturned" in finding those behind the killings of seven women near Kempton Park, north-east of Johannesburg. Police said another body was discovered on Tuesday morning, bringing the total under investigation to seven. One arrest has been made in connection with the first body found in mid-July.

Key Facts

Seven women have been found dead in and around Kempton Park, north-east of Johannesburg, over the last two months.
One arrest has been made in connection with the discovery of the first body, and the person remains in police custody.
Only two of the seven women have been identified so far, including 38-year-old Elizabeth Moselakgomo.
South Africa's rate of women being killed is five times higher than the global average, according to UN Women.

The Killings

The body of the first woman was found in mid-July, the second in late August, and the others were discovered this month, two in the last two days. Most of the women were found either partially or fully naked. On Tuesday, police said the body of a woman found on 7 September in a town near Kempton Park was also being included in the investigation. Maj-Gen Fred Kekana, acting police chief for Gauteng province, said a body of a female in her late 20s was observed in a river next to a mall.

Police Investigation

Police are not linking the deaths to a serial killer at this stage, but are investigating the possibility that a group of people is behind the killings. Police spokesperson Brig Athlenda Mathe said it could be a copycat crime, but so far there are no linkages. Police have urged women in the Kempton Park area, which is by South Africa's main international airport, to avoid walking or running alone, particularly in isolated areas.

Government Response

President Ramaphosa said he had directed that the cases be prioritised and that law enforcement agencies are working urgently to establish the facts and bring the perpetrators to justice. South Africa's Commission for Gender Equality urged residents of Kempton Park to work with the police to find the perpetrators. The discoveries of the bodies have sparked outrage and fear across the country, with many criticising the authorities for failing to adequately protect women.