The family of 28-year-old Gracious Nkomo has formally identified her as one of the murder victims discovered along the R21 in Kempton Park. Nkomo’s body was initially recovered on 10 September 2026, and her identification was confirmed by relatives at the Germiston Mortuary on 17 September 2026.
Nkomo is the third woman to be publicly identified as part of a widening investigation into a series of murders targeting women across the Ekurhuleni region. Police have previously confirmed the identity of 38-year-old Dineo Evelyn Motapane, who was linked to the same investigation on 16 September 2026.
We extend our deepest condolences to the family and loved ones of Gracious Nkomo during this extremely difficult time. Our investigators remain seized with these cases, and we will continue to pursue every available lead to ensure that those responsible for these murders are brought to justice.
According to a statement released by Lieutenant General Puleng Dimpane, Acting National Commissioner of the South African Police Service, a multidisciplinary team has been deployed to determine the link between these deaths. The investigation follows a distressing pattern of discoveries in the area over the last two months, including the reporting of a ninth body found in Dawn Park on 17 September 2026.
As Kempton Park remains under intensified policing operations, investigations into these murders remain ongoing.
While reports regarding the total number of victims vary between eight and nine, the official death toll remains the subject of an active investigation. Officials have cautioned against the circulation of unconfirmed theories regarding the perpetrator or the precise nature of the crimes, noting that such information could compromise the integrity of the ongoing police work.
The identification of Nkomo and the discovery of additional remains have placed further pressure on law enforcement to resolve the cases quickly. High-level government oversight has been requested to ensure that the multidisciplinary team receives the necessary resources to track down those responsible.
The exact circumstances surrounding the deaths of these women remain under investigation. Our team will check for further updates from the SAPS Western Cape and national spokesperson offices during the next media cycle.