South Africa demands action as nine women are found murdered in Ekurhuleni in two months

From the Newshound archive · first published 19 September 2026.

A construction site in Ekurhuleni, east of Johannesburg, where nine women's bodies have been found across the area over the past two months, with victims aged between 20 and 38.

Nine women's bodies have been discovered in similar circumstances across Ekurhuleni municipality east of Johannesburg since July, sparking national outcry and a police investigation into possible links. President Cyril Ramaphosa has ordered police to leave "no stone unturned" and urged men to take greater responsibility for preventing violence against women. South Africans gathered to run, mourn and demand change as families of the victims spoke of their devastation. South Africa's rate of femicide is five times the global average, according to UN Women.

Dineo Motapane, 38, a mother of two, was found battered and partly burned in a residential area; her aunt sobbed: 'How many other bodies will be found before something happens?'

The nine victims were found across separate locations in Ekurhuleni, some partially clothed with visible injuries — police say the most recent, found in Dawn Park on September 17, may have been killed elsewhere and moved.

Only four of the nine women have been identified, and police say they are examining 'all possibilities' as to whether the killings are linked.

The GuardianNine women in South Africa have been murdered since July. We are being told to be vigilant – but where are the warnings to men?BBC NewsGrim discoveries of murdered women spark fear in South Africa Al JazeeraFear and anger in South Africa as bodies of nine women found: What we know - Al Jazeera ReutersAfter deaths of nine women, South Africans gather to run, mourn and demand change news24.comTIMELINE | East Rand killings: Horror takes hold as series of women’s bodies found in Gauteng - news24.com

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