KwaZulu-Natal police commissioner Lt-Gen Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, the whistleblower whose corruption allegations led to the Madlanga Commission, has been brought in to help investigate the murders of nine women in Ekurhuleni.
Crime intelligence head Lt-Gen Dumisani Khumalo will assist as well.
Acting Police Minister Firoz Cachalia announced the pair’s involvement on Sunday, September 20, 2026.
He was speaking at a briefing by the Inter-Ministerial Committee on Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (IMC) in Tshwane, as calls to tackle gender-based violence in South Africa grow.
National police take over Ekurhuleni killings
The investigation had been led by acting Gauteng police commissioner Maj-Gen Fred Kekana.
Cachalia said the national police office is now in charge.
Lt-Gen Hilda Senthumule, the divisional commissioner for detective and forensic services, will lead the investigation, with Khumalo and Mkhwanazi assisting.
He said the necessary detective resources have been made available.
“I am confident from the report that I have received that the investigation will be concluded successfully,” Cachalia said.
Mkhwanazi is the senior officer who exposed alleged police corruption and links to drug cartels. Those allegations are at the heart of the ongoing Madlanga Commission.
Three persons of interest questioned in Ekurhuleni murder probe
Cachalia said three people have been called in for questioning.
“There are now three persons of interest who have been called in for questioning,” he said.
The questioning follows the discovery of an eighth woman’s body in Ekurhuleni, after which police announced a R400,000 reward for information that could help solve the killings.
Read our report on the reward and eighth woman’s body.
The cases are not necessarily linked, he said. Investigators have also identified indications of different modus operandi and motives.
Cachalia called speculation about a serial killer “premature” and said no outcome is being excluded.
Authorities have not said whether anyone has been charged. However, police made an arrest over the murder of Busisiwe on July 15.
That is consistent with our earlier coverage, when five bodies had been found and police said there appeared to be no link between the killings.
Cachalia said investigators were not ruling out any outcome while the probe continues.
7 victims identified
The South African Police Service (SAPS) and the Inter-Ministerial Committee released an updated briefing identifying seven of the victims by name:
- Mjobo Nomfesane
- Busisiwe Mahlangu
- Elizabeth “Tsontso” Moselakgomo
- Itumeleng Kekana (previously spelled Kakana)
- Gracious Nkomo
- Dineo Motapane (referred to by authorities as Dineo Morelani)
- Jabulile Mtimba
Moselakgomo, 38, disappeared after going for a run. Her family identified her body at the Germiston mortuary on Monday.
“We now have seven victims who are known. Their families have been informed,” Cachalia said.
He added that police have identified one further victim. However, officers have not yet reached her family because they need an address.
Police step up Ekurhuleni community safety
Sindisiwe Chikunga, Minister in the Presidency for Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities, said police visibility has been increased in Ekurhuleni.
“The city of Ekurhuleni will intensify grass cutting and debushing of open spaces and clearing of illegal dumping sites,” Chikunga said.
She said government is redirecting the “Love Your Street” campaign to involve communities in keeping their neighbourhoods clean and safe.
Chikunga said this does not absolve municipalities of their duty to provide reliable refuse collection and keep open spaces lit.
Businesses, shopping centres and transport facilities must also ensure that lighting, security systems and surveillance infrastructure are working, she said.
Chikunga said the IMC remains concerned that South Africa continues to record high levels of gender-based violence and femicide, despite stronger legislation.
Africa Check puts the country’s female homicide rate at roughly 12.2 per 100,000 women, about six times the global average.
How to report information or a missing person
Chikunga urged anyone with information to contact Warrant Officer Elvis Manyike on 082 465 7249 or Crime Stop on 08600 10111.
Information can be given anonymously.
The IMC also urged residents around Kempton Park, Kwa-Thema and Tembisa to check on female relatives and report missing persons immediately.
There is no 24-hour waiting period to report someone missing.
Victims of abuse can call the 24-hour GBV Command Centre on 0800 428 428.
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