Fear and concern are mounting in Ekurhuleni after the 12th woman was killed or found dead in the area in less than two months, prompting renewed calls for urgent action against gender-based violence and femicide.
Also see: 11th Woman found dead in Ekurhuleni amid growing fears over women’s safety
According to EWN, the latest victim was 23-year-old Boitumelo Gift Mashita, who was shot in Tembisa on Monday morning, 28 September 2026, while reportedly on her way to work. Police said her belongings were taken during what is being investigated as an alleged robbery.
The latest killing has added to a string of cases that have drawn national attention and prompted questions about whether some of the incidents could be connected.
The appeal follows the discovery of a 12th body, with authorities urging communities to share any information that could help crack the cases.https://t.co/nLSMUhjDXf
— Eyewitness News (@ewnupdates) September 29, 2026
Police investigate possible links
According to police, preliminary investigations have not established a link between Boitumelo’s death and the other recent cases involving women whose bodies were discovered across Ekurhuleni.
National police spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe said investigations into the other cases were continuing, with detectives following available leads. Police have also cautioned against drawing conclusions about a possible single perpetrator while investigations are ongoing, reported IOL.
The cases have occurred in areas including Kempton Park, Olifan tsfontein, Kwa-Thema, Dawn Park, Springs and Tembisa.
The latest death comes just days after another woman’s body was discovered near a railway line in Springs on Sunday, 27 September 2026. A separate woman’s body was also found at Mooifontein Cemetery in Tembisa on Saturday, 26 September 2026.
Also see: 3 Arrested following discovery of 9th woman’s body in Ekurhuleni
Woman’s estranged husband found dead
In a further development following Boitumelo’s murder, police identified her estranged husband as a person of interest and began tracing him.
According to IOL, his vehicle was later found in Midrand, with his body inside. Police said he may have ingested an unknown substance and that no foul play was suspected at that stage. A post-mortem examination is expected to establish the exact cause of death.
Boitumelo’s murder is being investigated separately as police continue looking into the wider series of women’s deaths.
Calls for answers grow
The latest killing has intensified calls for authorities to provide answers and strengthen investigations.
On Monday, activists and residents marched to Kempton Park SAPS, demanding better policing and investigations into femicide. The group handed over a memorandum calling, among other things, for a properly resourced women-led gender-based violence task team and a 24-hour victim support room at the police station.
The City of Ekurhuleni has also appealed to residents to provide police with any information that could help investigators solve the cases.
Police have established a multidisciplinary investigation involving detectives, Crime Intelligence, crime-scene management and Investigative Psychology Services. A R400,000 reward has also been offered for information that could assist with the investigations.
Not such a good morning South Africa, another female body has been discovered this morning in Tembisa. Making it a 12th body. That we know of) At this stage we must stop counting and have I plan. @CyrilRamaphosa @PresidencyZA @SAPoliceService we need to lock down this damn pic.twitter.com/C7vbvtSqv5
— Zola Hashatsi ka Motsiri (@zola_hashatsi) September 28, 2026
No confirmed link between all cases
While similarities between some of the cases have raised concerns, authorities have not established that all the deaths are connected.
Several cases have already resulted in arrests, including the murder of Ntombifuthu Nxumalo, whose body was found at Mooifontein Cemetery. A 36-year-old suspect was arrested after investigators traced him to Limpopo. There are also suspects or accused in other separate Ekurhuleni murder cases.
Investigators are continuing to examine each case on its own evidence while looking for possible connections.
For communities across Ekurhuleni, however, the growing number of deaths has left residents demanding urgent answers and stronger action to protect women.
Also see: Sixth woman’s body found in Ekurhuleni as police probe deaths
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