A 23-year-old woman was shot and killed during an alleged robbery while on her way to work in Thembisa, Ekurhuleni, on Monday, September 28. The incident occurred at about 05:45 on Mapungubwe Street, Temong. According to Gauteng police spokesperson Brigadier Brenda Muridili, the woman was robbed of her belongings during the fatal attack. Police have opened cases of murder and robbery.
The murder comes amid heightened concern over the deaths of women across Ekurhuleni, where 11 women's bodies have reportedly been discovered since July. The latest discovery was made in Springs on Sunday, September 27, when police found a woman's body in an open veld near Rhokana Road. The woman was reportedly found semi-naked near a railway line and appeared to have been strangled.
On September 26, another woman, identified as Ntombifuthu Nxumalo, was found dead at Mooifontein Cemetery in the Vusimusi section of Thembisa. She was found naked with serious head injuries. Several other women's bodies were discovered in Kempton Park, Pomona, Clayville, Olifantsfontein, KwaThema, and Dawn Park. Many were found partially clothed or naked and in open or isolated areas.
Police have been investigating whether any of the cases are connected. However, police stressed that Monday morning's murder in Thembisa has not been linked to the other deaths. According to Muridili, preliminary investigations have not established any link between this incident and the recent cases involving the bodies of women found in Ekurhuleni.
Police have since arrested a suspect in connection with Nxumalo's murder after investigators traced him from Tembisa to Limpopo. The suspect was found asleep in his room and was arrested in Mohlabaneng Village. The Gauteng Provincial Commissioner commended the multidisciplinary team for their swift response and investigative work that resulted in the arrest.
The 23-year-old victim of the latest shooting has been identified, but her family is yet to be formally informed. No suspects have been arrested in connection with her murder, and police are following up on leads. Police have appealed to anyone with information that could assist the investigation to contact their nearest police station or Crime Stop on 08600 10111.
The Ekurhuleni murder task team, detectives, Crime Intelligence, Crime Scene Management, and Investigative Psychology Services are working together to investigate the string of women's deaths. The community has been urged to provide any information that may help bring the perpetrators to justice.
Key points
- A suspect has been arrested in connection with the murder of Ntombifuthu Nxumalo, whose body was found at Mooifontein Cemetery.
- The latest shooting incident in Thembisa has not been linked to the other deaths of women in Ekurhuleni.
- Police are still investigating the string of women's deaths in Ekurhuleni, with 11 bodies reportedly discovered since July.
