East Rand killings continue: South Africans respond as 9th body found

As of Thursday morning, 17 September 2026, the death toll of the East Rand killings has risen as the ninth body has been discovered. Police confirmed the discovery of the body in the early hours of the day in Ekurhuleni.

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The grim discovery

Reports state that the unidentified body of a woman was found semi-naked and wrapped in a sheet on the streets of Dawn Park. Police have not yet publicly confirmed the identity and circumstances surrounding her death. The SAPS Major-General Fred Kekana does, however, acknowledge that preliminary investigations suggest that the body was dumped at the scene.

The Citizen reports that police spokesperson Colonel Dimakatso Nevhuhulwi said that the incident will be regarded as part of the ongoing investigation into the deaths of women in Ekurhuleni.

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Mzansi responds

The news came as a shock to South Africans, who swarmed social media comment sections in tears. Many shared that they are living in a state of fear because of the killings. One X user suggests that a solidification of searches and an expansion of the lockdown radius should be implemented.

Many South Africans are in desperate need of a solid solution to this seemingly ongoing string of murders.

Now that we understand that there is a possibility of discovering more, we need to solidify our searches and expand our lockdown radius. A more meaningful street to street search will help, with all specialist detective and task teams involved. we need intel and fast.

— DassanachWave (@DassanachWave) September 17, 2026

Plan of action

The senseless murders have sent the whole country into a state of shock, with investigations still underway. The police service has also put out a R400,000 reward, which the Democratic Alliance has increased by R500,000 to anyone who has valuable information regarding the investigation.

The police service has also urged women and girls to take extra precautions as investigations are still ongoing, and has planned a lockdown of the surrounding areas in Kempton Park.

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