Fresh Arrests in South Africa After Nine Women Found Murdered

September 21, 2026

107

Fresh Arrests in South Africa After Nine Women Found Murdered

Two Women Arrested Over Kempton Park Murder

The two women and a male suspect were arrested over the weekend in connection with the killing of Jabulile Ntimba, whose body was found on September 17. Police identified her as the ninth victim in the series of killings.

Prosecutors said the women, aged 31 and 38, have been charged with murder, perverting the cause of justice and possession of a dangerous weapon.

As with several of the other cases, Ntimba’s body was found beside a road and was partly clothed.

The third suspect, who is the brother of one of the detained women, was not charged because of “insufficient evidence at this stage”, according to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA).

The two women are expected to return to court for a bail hearing on October 1.

“It is alleged that the accused were known to the deceased and were together with her on the night of the incident,” the NPA said.

Deputy police chief Tebello Mosikili previously said the murder appeared to have possibly stemmed from a relationship-related matter, including what had been described as a possible love triangle.

Police Investigate Nine Women Found Dead

The latest arrests have intensified an investigation into the deaths of nine women whose bodies were discovered in Kempton Park over a two-month period.

Authorities are investigating whether the cases are connected and whether a serial killer or killers could be responsible.

The killings have renewed concerns about violence against women in South Africa, where gender-based violence remains a major national issue.

President Cyril Ramaphosa on Monday echoed the police pledge that those responsible for the killings would be brought to justice.

“We will be pulling out all stops to find these perpetrators,” Ramaphosa told journalists.

He said additional money, resources and technology would be deployed to address violence against women and the fear experienced by women in the country.

More Arrests and South Africa Crime Investigations

The latest arrests bring to three the number of people held by police in connection with the Kempton Park killings.

A man arrested over the murder of another woman whose body was found in July remains in custody and is due back in court on October 28, police said.

“We are not going to rush these investigations simply to make arrests. We owe it to the victims, we owe it to their families and we owe it to justice to get this right,” Mosikili said.

Separately, police reported that another woman was found dead on Sunday in Soweto, south of Johannesburg. Her body was reportedly wrapped in a duvet and dumped near a dam.

Police also said two alleged serial rapists were due to appear in court in KwaZulu-Natal.

A 46-year-old man has been linked by DNA to 16 rape cases in Durban, while a 36-year-old man has been linked to at least 14 cases across two provinces.

The investigations into the Kempton Park killings remain ongoing as authorities work to establish whether there are links between the cases and identify those responsible.