Ekurhuleni murders: Family identifies woman’s body found in KwaThema

The South African Police Service (Saps) is investigating a series of eight murders of women in Ekurhuleni, with three victims now identified. Dineo Evelyn Motapane, 38, was discovered on the side of the road in KwaThema, Springs, on Wednesday, 16 September 2026. Her body was confirmed by her family at the Springs Mortuary. Motapane was last seen alive on Sunday, and her family had not reported her missing at that time.

Brigadier Athlenda Mathe, a police spokesperson, stated that her family was notified, and the Acting National Commissioner, Lieutenant General Puleng Dimpane, conveyed condolences to the family. Police are intensifying their investigations into the murders, employing a multidisciplinary team of experts to identify the suspects and bring them to justice.

The victims were found in Kempton Park, Olifantsfontein, and KwaThema. The police have offered a R400,000 reward for information leading to the resolution of the murders, and Kempton Park is under lockdown through Operation Shanela. The Democratic Alliance (DA) has also offered R500,000 for information that leads to the successful prosecution of the murderer of multiple women in Ekurhuleni.

Khathutshelo Rasilingwane, the DA Mayoral Candidate for Ekurhuleni, emphasized the need for the perpetrator's arrest and incarceration, as well as for the city to be safer and better governed. The Ahmed Kathrada Foundation has also condemned the murders, calling for urgent action and accountability to tackle South Africa's gender-based violence and femicide crisis.