Police in South Africa have confirmed that they are still trying to locate the family of an unidentified woman whose body was found floating in a river in Clayville, near the Mall of Tembisa, on September 7. The woman was found wearing only her underwear. This is part of a larger investigation into a series of killings in Ekurhuleni, where nine women have been found dead over the past two months.
Two women, Fortunate Masilela and Tsakane Nester Msithini, appeared in the Boksburg Magistrate’s Court on Monday after being arrested over the weekend by the Gauteng Murder and Robbery Unit. They face charges of premeditated murder and defeating the ends of justice in connection with the death of Jabulile Ntimba, the ninth woman found dead in the area. Ntimba, believed to have been about 30, was found on September 17 in an open area on Lama Street in Villa Lisa, Dawn Park.
The two accused were remanded in custody and are expected to apply for bail on October 1. As they face a Schedule 6 offence, they will have to satisfy the court that exceptional circumstances exist for them to be released on bail. A man who was arrested alongside the two women has since been released and has not been charged. Police confirmed that the man is still being investigated and that police are following up on possible links to Ntimba’s murder.
Nine women have been found dead in Ekurhuleni and surrounding areas over the past two months. The victims identified by police are: Busisiwe Mahlangu, 37, Itumeleng Kekana, 32, Nomfesane Mjobo, Gracious Nkomo, 28, Elizabeth “Tsontso” Moselakgomo, 38, Dineo Evelyn Motapane, 38, and Jabulile Ntimba. Police have also found two unidentified women, one in Clayville and one in Olifantsfontein.
Deputy national police commissioner Lieutenant General Tebello Mosikili said police were not ruling out any possibility but maintained that there was not enough evidence at this stage to conclude that a serial killer was responsible. Mosikili said the investigation into Ntimba’s murder was being conducted in consultation with prosecutors as part of a guided investigation.
Mosikili said investigators were continuing with follow-ups, exploring possible links between the cases and conducting identity parades where necessary. Further information could also lead police to other possible suspects, she said. Police said the investigation into the circumstances surrounding the deaths was continuing.
Regarding the unidentified woman found in Clayville, Mosikili said police had traced an address that could potentially be linked to her family. Police would only make an announcement once the identity had been confirmed and the family had been properly contacted.
Key points
- Police are searching for the family of an unidentified woman found dead in a river in Clayville.
- Two women have been arrested and charged in connection with the murder of Jabulile Ntimba, the ninth woman found dead in Ekurhuleni.
- Police have identified seven of the nine women found dead in Ekurhuleni, and are still investigating the circumstances surrounding their deaths.
