Twelve women murdered in South Africa’s Ekurhuleni region have brought the area into the spotlight as police search for a pattern.

The first victim, Busisiwe Mahlangu, was found on 15 July in Kempton Park. She was naked and bound, and her partner was arrested two days later, though investigators say his case is unrelated to the others.

Subsequent discoveries followed: Itumeleng Kekana (3 August), Nomfesane Mjobo (26 August), an unknown female (7 September) located in a river, Gracious Nkomo (10 September) near the airport, Elizabeth Moselakgomo (12 September) on a bridge, another unnamed woman (14 September) in a dam, Dineo Motapane (15 September) burned on a road in Springs, Jabulile Ntimba (17 September) wrapped in a sheet in Boksburg, Ntombifuthi Nxumalo (26 September) in a cemetery with stone wounds, a further unidentified woman (21 September) in a field, and Boitumelo Gift Mashita (20 September) shot on the way to work in Tembisa.

Police stressed that arrests have only been made in unrelated investigations, and no link has yet been proven between the cases. A dedicated task team has been formed and a reward of 400,000 rand has been announced for information that could help solve the killings.

President Cyril Ramaphosa labelled the series of murders a stain on the nation’s conscience, echoing concerns over one of the world’s highest homicide rates – 5,427 people were killed between April and June alone. The South African Human Rights Commission added that 569 women were murdered during that period, averaging six daily.

The case has reignited a nationwide conversation about violence against women, safety in Ekurhuleni and the effectiveness of law enforcement in protecting vulnerable populations. As investigations continue, community groups and activists are calling for greater transparency, better policing and broader social reforms to address the underlying causes of gender‑based violence.