GRACIOUS NKOMO IDENTIFIED, AS EKURHULENI MURDER INVESTIGATION WIDENS!
By AKASIA EXPRESS NEWS REPORTER
Police investigates nine women’s deaths across Ekurhuleni as Kempton Park comes under intensified policing.
The family of 28-year-old Gracious Nkomo has positively identified her as one of the women whose bodies have been discovered in the Kempton Park area, adding another name to a growing investigation into the deaths of women across Ekurhuleni.
Nkomo was the third woman whose body was discovered in the Kempton Park area on 10 September 2026.
Her body was found partially clothed along the R21 and was later taken to the Germiston Mortuary.
Her family formally identified her on 17 September.
The identification came on the same day police confirmed the discovery of yet another woman’s body in Dawn Park/Villa Liza, bringing the number of women whose bodies have been discovered across Ekurhuleni since July to nine.
A STRING OF DEATHS ACROSS EKURHULENI!
The investigation began in July following the discovery of a woman’s body near the R21 in the Pomona/Kempton Park area.
Police have since investigated a series of further deaths in and around Kempton Park, Rhodesfield, Olifantsfontein, KwaThema and Dawn Park.
Among the victims was Elizabeth “Tsontso” Moselakgomo, a 38-year-old mother who disappeared on 9 September after leaving home for an afternoon run.
Her body was subsequently found in the Rhodesfield area and was positively identified by her family.
Police have also confirmed the identification of other victims, including women whose bodies were discovered in Kempton Park and KwaThema.
The discovery of multiple bodies has prompted an intensified police response across the East Rand.
The police have set aside R500 000 as reward for anyone who can lead the investigation into the right direction, while political party, the Democratic Alliance (DA) put another R500k into the kitty.
NINTH BODY DISCOVERED IN DAWN PARK
The latest development came on 17 September, when police discovered the body of a woman believed to be around 30 years old in an open area in Lama Street, Villa Liza, Dawn Park.
According to police, the woman was found partially clothed and had multiple stab wounds.Acting Gauteng Police Commissioner Major General Fred Kekana said preliminary information indicated that the woman’s body may have been dumped at the location.
Her identity had not yet been formally established at the time of the latest police update.
Police said the discovery brings the total number of women’s bodies found in the broader Ekurhuleni investigation to nine since July.
MORE WOMEN’S BODIES FOUND AROUND KEMPTON PARK
The Kempton Park/R21 area has been at the centre of the investigation.
On 15 July, the body of a 37-year-old woman was discovered in an open veld near the R21 in Pomona.
Police subsequently arrested a suspect who was positively linked to that first murder.Further bodies were later discovered along the R21 and in the Rhodesfield area.
On 10 September, three women’s bodies were discovered in the Kempton Park area, one of whom has now been identified as Gracious Nkomo.
Another victim, Elizabeth Moselakgomo, was found on 12 September after her disappearance had sparked a search.
Police also discovered a woman’s body in Olifantsfontein, while another was found in KwaThema on 15 September.
The latest discovery in Dawn Park has now expanded the investigation further into Ekurhuleni.
POLICE: DON’T SPECULATE ABOUT A SINGLE KILLER!
The repeated discoveries have raised fears that the murders could be connected.
However, police have been careful not to conclude that a single perpetrator is responsible.
Deputy National Commissioner Lieutenant General Tebello Mosikili said investigators had identified similarities between some of the cases, including circumstances in which some of the women were found.
She stressed that investigators would only confirm a connection once the forensic and investigative processes had been completed.
Police have therefore appealed to the public not to circulate unverified information or accuse individuals without evidence.
MULTIDISCIPLINARY TEAM ON THE CASE!
Acting National Commissioner of SAPS Lieutenant General Puleng Dimpane said a multidisciplinary team of investigators was working around the clock to establish exactly what happened to the victims and identify those responsible.
Dimpane extended condolences to Nkomo’s family and said investigators would pursue every available lead.
“Our investigators remain seized with these cases, and we will continue to pursue every available lead to ensure that those responsible for these murders are brought to justice,” Dimpane said.
The Acting Minister of Police, Firoz Cachalia, has also called for an urgent and coordinated investigation.
SAPS says additional resources have been deployed, including increased patrols, greater police visibility and specialised investigative capacity.
17 WOMEN REPORTED MISSING IN KEMPTON PARK!
Police have also revealed a worrying statistic.
Since January 2026, 17 women have been reported missing in the Kempton Park area.
Of those, police say 13 have been located and safely reunited with their families.
The information was released by Lieutenant General Mosikili as police outlined their response to the murders and missing-person investigations in the area.
The figure highlights the importance of reporting missing persons quickly and ensuring that investigations are followed up with urgency.
FAMILIES LEFT WAITING FOR ANSWERS!
For the families of the victims, the investigation is about more than statistics. It is about mothers, daughters, sisters and friends who left home and never returned.
The identification of Gracious Nkomo has at least allowed her family to put a name to one of the victims whose identity had remained unknown.
But for other families still waiting for confirmation, the uncertainty continues.
The latest developments have also left residents across Kempton Park, Rhodesfield, Olifantsfontein, Tembisa, Dawn Park and surrounding communities deeply concerned.