Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi has announced a police lockdown of Kempton Park and surrounding areas after authorities confirmed that eight women’s bodies had been recovered in Ekurhuleni over the past two months. Acting Police Minister Firoz Cachalia confirmed the updated death toll during a meeting with senior police officials in Parktown on Tuesday night, 15 September 2026.
The announcement comes as a specialised police team investigates possible links between the deaths, including cases in Olifantsfontein, Clayville and KwaThema. Authorities have also announced a R400 000 reward for information that could lead to arrests.
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Kempton Park lockdown announced as police intensify operations
Lesufi announced the intensified police operation following discussions with senior law enforcement officials about the deaths.
Speaking to the media, the premier said police would increase their presence in Kempton Park and surrounding communities while investigators worked to identify those responsible.
He said the operation would bring together policing partners and intelligence resources to assist the investigation.
The announcement follows growing concern among residents after several women’s bodies were discovered in different parts of Ekurhuleni between July and September.
What does the Kempton Park lockdown mean for residents?
The announced lockdown refers to an intensified police operation in Kempton Park and surrounding areas.
Authorities have not specified whether the operation will include roadblocks, searches, access restrictions or other measures.
No general curfew or restriction on residents’ movements has been confirmed in the information available at the time of publication.
Residents should therefore distinguish the police operation from a formal restriction on movement. Further operational details will depend on announcements from the authorities.
Police confirm eighth woman’s body found in Olifantsfontein
Acting Police Minister Firoz Cachalia confirmed that the number of women’s bodies recovered in cases under investigation had increased to eight.
Cachalia announced during a meeting in Parktown on Tuesday night, where senior police officials briefed the government on the investigation.
The eighth body was reportedly discovered in Olifantsfontein.
The latest development follows the recovery of several women’s bodies in and around Kempton Park, with additional cases identified elsewhere in Ekurhuleni.
Police are examining evidence from the different scenes to determine whether the deaths are connected.
However, investigators have not established that all eight women were killed by the same person.
Clayville woman’s death added to wider investigation
Acting Gauteng Provincial Police Commissioner Major General Fred Kekana said investigators had identified an earlier case that needed to be included in the broader investigation.
A woman believed to be in her late twenties was found dead in a river in Clayville, near Tembisa Mall, on 7 September.
According to Kekana, the woman was found wearing underwear.
Police initially investigated the discovery separately but later identified it as a case that needed to be examined by the specialised team.
The Clayville case was subsequently included as the seventh death under investigation.
Detectives are now reviewing the circumstances of that discovery alongside the other cases to establish whether any evidence connects them.
KwaThema woman may have been strangled
Another woman’s body was discovered beside a road in KwaThema, Springs, on Tuesday morning.
Kekana said a pathologist’s preliminary assessment suggested that the woman may have been strangled.
The finding remains preliminary, and a postmortem examination was expected to take place on Wednesday, 16 September.
Police have not released final findings confirming the cause of death.
KwaThema is approximately 45 kilometres from Kempton Park, extending the geographical scope of the investigation.
Residents who gathered near the scene expressed concern about the discovery and the safety of women in the community.
One resident, Zanele Shabalala, told IOL that people had been alerted after a photograph of the body circulated in a community WhatsApp group.
She said residents were concerned about the deaths and wanted authorities to intervene.
Claims by residents about when the woman died or how her body arrived at the scene have not been confirmed by police.
R400 000 reward announced as police pursue leads
Authorities have announced a R400 000 reward for information that could lead to arrests in connection with the investigation.
The reward forms part of the expanded police response following the discovery of the eight bodies.
Police have confirmed that one suspect remains in custody in connection with a woman’s murder in Kempton Park in July.
Investigators are also pursuing another person of interest, according to reports published on Wednesday.
The existing arrest does not establish that the suspect is responsible for the other deaths.
Police have not confirmed whether the cases involve one perpetrator, several perpetrators or unrelated incidents.
Have police confirmed a serial killer in Kempton Park?
Police have not confirmed that a serial killer is responsible for the eight deaths.
Earlier in the investigation, police spokesperson Athlenda Mathe said investigators did not have sufficient evidence to conclude that the deaths were the work of a serial killer.
Sources indicated that police were examining whether different perpetrators could be responsible.
According to the report, investigators had identified differences in the circumstances surrounding some of the deaths.
The specialised task team must determine whether forensic evidence, witness statements and other findings establish links between individual cases.
Until that process is complete, the discovery of eight bodies does not establish that one person committed all the crimes.
President Ramaphosa directs police to prioritise investigation
President Cyril Ramaphosa has directed law enforcement agencies to prioritise the investigation into the deaths.
In a statement reported on 15 September, the president said he had received briefings from the Police Minister and Acting National Police Commissioner.
He instructed authorities to investigate the cases thoroughly and bring those responsible to justice.
Ramaphosa also expressed condolences to the families affected by the deaths.
Acting National Police Commissioner Lieutenant General Puleng Dimpane has directed a multidisciplinary team of detectives and specialised policing resources to intensify the investigation.
The team is reviewing evidence from the different scenes and examining possible connections between the cases.
What This Means for Gauteng Residents
The expanded investigation now covers several Ekurhuleni communities, including Kempton Park, Olifantsfontein, Clayville and KwaThema.
For residents, the lockdown announcement means authorities intend to increase police operations in Kempton Park and surrounding areas.
However, no general curfew or restriction on movement has been confirmed. Residents should follow official police announcements for further details about the operation.
The R400 000 reward also provides an opportunity for people with relevant information to assist investigators.
Police have urged families with missing relatives to come forward because some of the women have not yet been identified.
Residents should avoid circulating unverified photographs, identifying alleged suspects without evidence or presenting theories about the deaths as established facts.
Anyone with information about the cases can contact investigating officer Warrant Officer Elvis Manyike on 082 465 7249, according to contact details provided in the presidential statement.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Kempton Park under lockdown?
Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi has announced a police lockdown of Kempton Park and surrounding areas. The announcement refers to intensified policing, but authorities have not confirmed a general curfew or restrictions on residents’ movements.
How many women have been found dead in Ekurhuleni?
Police have confirmed that eight women’s bodies have been recovered in cases included in the wider investigation as of 16 September 2026.
Where was the eighth woman’s body found?
The eighth body was reportedly discovered in Olifantsfontein. Acting Police Minister Firoz Cachalia confirmed the updated number during a meeting in Parktown.
Is a serial killer responsible for the deaths?
Police have not established that a serial killer is responsible. Investigators are examining possible links between the cases and whether one or more perpetrators may be involved.
How much is the reward for information?
Authorities have announced a R400 000 reward for information that could lead to arrests. Residents with relevant information can contact Warrant Officer Elvis Manyike on 082 465 7249.
Investigation continues as police increase presence in Ekurhuleni
The confirmation of an eighth woman’s death has prompted an expanded police response, including intensified operations in Kempton Park and surrounding areas.
Police are investigating cases in Olifantsfontein, Clayville, KwaThema and Kempton Park while reviewing forensic evidence and pursuing possible suspects.
The R400 000 reward and deployment of additional policing resources form part of efforts to establish the circumstances of each death.
Authorities have not confirmed that all eight cases are connected or that a single perpetrator is responsible. Further information is expected as forensic examinations and the specialised investigation continue.
