Twelve women have been killed in one part of South Africa since July. Here's what we know so far

Since July, twelve women have been found deceased in a region east of Johannesburg, South Africa, according to police reports. The bodies were discovered over two months, with the most recent ones identified between Saturday and Monday. Police have made arrests in three cases, which seem unrelated to the others, but they cannot eliminate the possibility of a serial killer.

Busisiwe Mahlangu, a 37-year-old woman, was the first victim. Her body was discovered naked and bound with cable ties in Kempton Park on July 15, 2026. A suspect, believed to be her partner, was arrested two days later and remains in custody.

Itumeleng Kekana, a 32-year-old mother, was the second victim. Her body was found in Kempton Park on August 3, 2026, badly bruised and partially clothed. No arrests have been made in this case.

Nomfesane Mjobo, the third victim, was found in Kempton Park on August 26, 2026. She was partially or fully naked with bruises, but no arrests have been made.

On September 7, an unknown woman in her 20s was discovered floating in a river in Olifantsfontein wearing only her underwear. No further details about her death have been released, and no arrests have been made.

Gracious Nkomo, the fifth victim, was found on September 10, 2026, along a road near South Africa's busiest airport. Her partially clothed body was discovered. No arrests have been made in her case.

Elizabeth "Tsontso" Moselakgomo is the last known victim. Like the others, she was found partially or fully naked with bruises. No arrests have been made in any of the twelve deaths. The alarming string of murders has sparked widespread concern in Ekurhuleni, particularly around Kempton Park, amid broader issues of high levels of violence against women in South Africa.