Zimbabwean beauty queen among nine women found dead in Ekurhuleni

Monday 21 September 2026 - 19:47

By: Azzat Manal

Zimbabwean beauty queen among nine women found dead in Ekurhuleni

South African police are investigating the deaths of nine women whose bodies have been discovered in different parts of Ekurhuleni, east of Johannesburg, since July. Among the victims is 28-year-old Zimbabwean beauty queen Gracias Nkomo, whose remains were formally identified by her family after being found alongside a road in Kempton Park on September 10.

Nkomo had been living in Pretoria and working at a guesthouse in Kempton Park. Relatives described her as a generally cheerful and quiet young woman and said they were still waiting for authorities to establish the circumstances surrounding her death.

The nine victims were found in separate locations across the Ekurhuleni area, with most believed to have been in their twenties or thirties. Police said some of the bodies were discovered naked or partially clothed, while several victims had injuries that raised concerns about possible sexual assaults.

The first known case in the series dates back to July 15, when the body of a 37-year-old woman was found naked and restrained with plastic ties. A suspect has been arrested in connection with that case.

On September 10, three women, including Nkomo, were found dead in Kempton Park. Further discoveries followed in the days that came after. Among the later victims was 38-year-old Elizabeth “Tsontso” Musilakgomo, whose body was found in Rhodesfield after she disappeared while out running.

Investigators have assembled a specialised team to determine whether the deaths are connected. Police are examining several possibilities, including the involvement of more than one perpetrator or the possibility that the cases are unrelated and require separate investigations.

Authorities have offered a reward of 400,000 South African rand, equivalent to roughly $25,000, for information that could help identify and arrest suspects. Police have also increased their presence in areas where the bodies were discovered.

The deaths have triggered public concern and commemorative gatherings, particularly among local running communities. On September 19, runners gathered in Johannesburg to honour Musilakgomo and draw attention to violence against women.

South Africa continues to face serious concerns over gender-based violence and the safety of women, prompting repeated calls for stronger prevention measures, more effective investigations and greater protection for victims. In Ekurhuleni, relatives of the women are now awaiting answers as investigators work to determine whether a wider pattern links the cases.