{
  "id": 8863116,
  "title": "Ekurhuleni murders: These are the names of the women who were brutally murdered",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/21/ekurhuleni-murders-these-are-the-names-of-the-women-who-were-brutally",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-21T06:22:10.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Citizen",
    "slug": "the-citizen",
    "url": "https://www.citizen.co.za/news/ekurhuleni-murders-these-are-the-names-of-women-brutally-murdered/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "In a series of gruesome murders that have shocked South Africa, nine women were brutally killed in Ekurhuleni, Gauteng's East Rand. The South African Police Service (Saps) revealed the identities of the victims on Monday, 21 September 2026, following a significant breakthrough in the case.\n\nThe suspects were arrested on the same day, marking the police's determination to catch the perpetrators. Among the discovered bodies, Gracious Nkomo was found semi-naked in Dawn Park last week, further fueling concerns over the recent discoveries of women's bodies.\n\nThe victims of femicide in Ekurhuleni are as follows, in the order of their discoveries: Busisiwe Mahlangu in Kempton Park on 15 July 2026, Itumeleng Kekana in Kempton Park on 03 August 2026, Nomfesane Mjobo in Kempton Park on 26 August 2026, an unidentified woman whose body was found floating in the Clayville River in Olifantsfontein on 7 September 2026, Gracious Nkomo in Kempton Park on 10 September 2026, Elizabeth Moselakgomo in Kempton Park on 12 September 2026, a woman whose name has not been disclosed yet; her body was found in Olifantsfontein on 14 September 2026, Dineo Motapane in Kwa-Thema on 15 September 2026, and Jabulile Ntimba in Dawn Park on 17 September 2026.\n\nActing Police Minister Firoz Cachalia stated that investigators have not yet confirmed the presence of a serial killer in Ekurhuleni. However, with nine women murdered in recent months, the possibility of a serial predator operating in Gauteng's east cannot be ruled out. The spate of killings has raised fears and heightened public safety concerns in the region, as Ekurhuleni has also been revealed as the province's hotspot for kidnappings.",
  "summary": "Saps disclosed the names following a major breakthrough in the chilling series of women's murders.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 3,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "IOL",
        "title": "Three questioned as police probe deaths of nine women in Ekurhuleni",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/21/three-questioned-as-police-probe-deaths-of-nine-women-in-ekurhuleni",
        "published": "2026-09-21T04:15:00.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "SABC News",
        "title": "One of nine bodies of women found In Ekurhuleni remains unidentified",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/21/one-of-nine-bodies-of-women-found-in-ekurhuleni-remains-unidentified",
        "published": "2026-09-21T06:20:00.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}