Two women, whose names have not been released, appeared before the Boksburg Magistrate's Court on Monday in connection with the murder of Jabulile Ntimba. Her body was found partially clothed in Villa Liza Township, near Dawn Park in Boksburg, on September 17. The pair were remanded in custody until October 1 and are charged with Ntimba's murder. A third person, who was arrested with the pair, was released after not being enrolled as an accused.
According to Deputy National Police Commissioner for Policing Lieutenant General Tebello Mosikili, the murder appears to have stemmed from a relationship-related matter, including a possible love triangle. However, police have not linked it to the other women's killings. Mosikili said the third person remained part of the investigation as police pursued leads, including links to other suspects.
The court ordered that audio recordings be allowed, with no images of the accused or presiding officers permitted. Mosikili said the case was postponed until October 1, and the two accused would remain in custody until their next appearance. Police are investigating links between some cases, but have cautioned against concluding a single offender is responsible.
Despite the latest arrests, Mosikili said investigators were not prepared to rush the wider police probe. She emphasized that police want to make sure that when they arrest, they arrest the right people, based on evidence that can stand before a court of law. Mosikili added that they owe it to the victims, their families, and justice to get this right.
Behavioural forensic analyst Jade Bernstein said public information offered points of comparison, but was insufficient to establish a link between Ntimba's murder and other cases. Bernstein added that investigators would need to compare causes and methods of death, how victims were approached, restraint, sexual assault, body disposal, and victims' backgrounds and routines.
The International Women's Forum South Africa, GBVF Response Fund, and Graça Machel Trust have called for an urgent State response, saying women are being hunted in Ekurhuleni. The organisations called for unidentified victims to be prioritised through forensic and DNA capacity, and transparency. Faith Khanyile, chairperson of the GBVF Response Fund, said the national disaster classification of gender-based violence and femicide must translate into action.
In another case, police opened an inquest after the body of an unidentified woman was found wrapped in a duvet in a dam in Moroka, Soweto, on Sunday. No connection has been established between that death and the Ekurhuleni cases. Meanwhile, Graça Machel, founder of the Graça Machel Trust, said the women should not be reduced to statistics, adding that there are lives behind these numbers.
Key points
- Two women have been remanded in custody over Jabulile Ntimba's murder.
- Police say it's only a matter of time before they find those responsible for the killings of women across Gauteng.
- The murder appears to have stemmed from a relationship-related matter, including a possible love triangle.
