‘We are broken’: Itumeleng Kekana’s brother searched for his slain sister in Ekurhuleni

On a somber July afternoon, Itumeleng Kekana's phone rang unexpectedly, ringing on her birthday. Her 32-year-old brother, Themba, greeted her in Kempton Park, expressing surprise at her call. Itumeleng, originally from Mmakwane Village in the Free State, had been selling beauty products at her shop when she stepped outside for a moment.

Moments later, she vanished without a trace. Over the next few days, her family and community were gripped with fear as nine women went missing in Ekurhuleni. On July 18, Themba noticed his sister's phone was unreachable, leading to urgent calls from a neighbor claiming she was no longer at her shop. A crucial clue emerged that day when a man attempting to sell a phone displayed a picture of Itumeleng on the lock screen.

Community vigilance led to her apprehension, confirming the family's worst fears. A desperate 17-day search ensued, with family members scouring hospitals, clinics, mortuaries, and police stations, hoping to find their beloved sister alive. On August 3, police announced that a body had been discovered near a bridge along the R21.

The body was severely injured, with cuts, bruises, bound hands and feet, and facial injuries making her unrecognizable. The family identified her through her size, complexion, and dyed hair, positively confirming her identity later at the mortuary. Two months after her disappearance, the family buried her in QwaQwa, but the pain remains.

Now under the care of her grandparents, their 14-year-old niece is struggling to cope with the loss. Themba expressed the family's anguish, noting their inability to keep up with the news and their shattered state. Investigations revealed multiple cases of women found dead in the area, with similarities prompting authorities to establish a dedicated task force.

However, a backlog in forensic evidence may hinder the pursuit of justice, as detectives work to identify the perpetrator and bring closure to the grieving family and community.