Ekurhuleni murders: Forensics link persons of interest to victims

Forensic evidence has given police new leads in the murders of nine women across Ekurhuleni, with investigators now linking some persons of interest to identified victims.

Acting Deputy National Commissioner for Crime Detection Lieutenant-General Hilda Senthumule disclosed the development during a briefing to Parliament’s Portfolio Committee on Police on Wednesday.

Police are investigating nine killings across Ekurhuleni. Five of the women were found in Kempton Park.

Senthumule said forensic work was helping detectives establish links between people under investigation and some of the identified victims.

Forensics link persons of interest in Ekurhuleni murders

Police have been comparing forensic evidence from the nine cases to determine whether any of the murders are connected.

Investigators have already questioned several persons of interest.

Senthumule did not identify the people linked to victims through forensic evidence or confirm whether they were among those questioned earlier.

Police have also not revealed what evidence produced the links.

Detectives continue to examine each case while comparing forensic findings, possible motives and the circumstances surrounding the killings.

Police still cannot confirm serial killer

Gauteng Police Commissioner Lieutenant-General Tommy Mthombeni said police still have no evidence confirming that one serial killer is responsible for the deaths.

“As of now, we could not confirm whether there is a serial killer, though it cannot be ruled out,” he told MPs.

KZN police commissioner Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi has been roped into the investigation.

Police have repeatedly warned against linking all nine killings to one perpetrator before investigators find evidence supporting that conclusion.

Investigators are also examining the death of a woman whose body was found at Moroka Dam in Soweto.

Police have not confirmed a link between that case and the Ekurhuleni murders.

Two women charged over Jabulile Ntimba murder

Police have made arrests in one of the nine Ekurhuleni cases.

Fortunate Masilela and Tsakane Msithini face charges linked to the murder of Jabulile Ntimba.

Police found Ntimba’s body in Villa Liza near Dawn Park on 17 September.

The two women remain in custody and are expected back in the Boksburg Magistrate’s Court on 1 October for bail proceedings.

Police initially arrested a third suspect but later released him after prosecutors declined to enrol charges against him.

Investigators have not linked Masilela and Msithini to the other Ekurhuleni murders.

Police continue to analyse forensic evidence as detectives work to identify those responsible for the remaining killings.