Ekurhuleni murders: Mkhwanazi joins high-level investigation

KwaZulu-Natal police commissioner Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi has been brought into the investigation into the deaths of nine women across Ekurhuleni, as three people arrested over the murder of the ninth victim appeared in court on Monday.

Acting Police Minister Firoz Cachalia said Mkhwanazi and Crime Intelligence head Lieutenant-General Dumisani Khumalo would assist the strengthened multidisciplinary team now headed by Lieutenant-General Hilda Senthumule.

The move comes as detectives record a breakthrough in the murder of Jabulile Ntimba, whose body was found in Dawn Park, Boksburg, on Thursday, 17 September.

THREE FACE COURT OVER NTIMBA MURDER

Members of the Gauteng Murder and Robbery Unit arrested one man and two women over the weekend in connection with Ntimba’s murder.

The three appeared in the Boksburg Magistrates’ Court on Monday.

SAPS has not linked the trio to the other eight deaths under investigation.

Acting National Police Commissioner Lieutenant-General Puleng Dimpane said detectives continued to pursue all available leads across the nine cases.

“We remain committed to ensuring that these investigations are pursued with the urgency and determination they require,” Dimpane said.

Ntimba became the ninth woman added to the Ekurhuleni investigation after police found her body in Dawn Park last week.

MKHWANAZI JOINS STRENGTHENED TEAM

Cachalia said police had reinforced the team as investigators worked to establish what links, if any, exist between the deaths.

“I indicated earlier in the week that we would set up a multidisciplinary team, headed by a deputy provincial commissioner,” he said.

“That team has subsequently been strengthened and is now headed by Lt-Gen Senthumule. She is being assisted by General Dumisani Khumalo, the head of Crime Intelligence, as well as General Mkhwanazi.”

Mkhwanazi’s involvement brings the KZN provincial commissioner into a probe already drawing on detectives, forensic specialists and Crime Intelligence.

Police have also stepped up visibility in affected communities across Ekurhuleni.

EIGHT OF NINE VICTIMS IDENTIFIED

Investigators have now identified eight of the nine women.

Authorities have informed seven families. Police know the identity of an eighth victim but have withheld her name until they trace and notify her relatives.

One woman remains unidentified.

The seven publicly named women are Busisiwe Mahlangu, Itumeleng Kekana, Nomfesane Mjobo, Gracious Nkomo, Elizabeth “Tsontso” Moselakgomo, Dineo Motapane and Jabulile Ntimba.

POLICE HAVE NOT CONFIRMED A SERIAL KILLER

Despite public speculation, investigators have not concluded that one person killed all nine women.

Cachalia said police had identified differences in the modus operandi and possible motives in some of the cases.

“There are some indications of different modus operandi and different motives,” he said.

Police have not ruled out links between individual cases but say investigators need to follow the evidence before reaching a conclusion.

The arrests in Ntimba’s case mark a concrete breakthrough in one of the nine investigations, while the broader team — now strengthened by Mkhwanazi and Khumalo — continues working to determine whether any of the deaths are connected.