Gracious Nkomo Identified As Third Woman Found Dead Along R21

The family of 28-year-old Gracious Nkomo has formally identified her as one of the women whose bodies were discovered in the Kempton Park area.

Nkomo was found partially clothed along the R21 on 10 September 2026 and was identified by her family at the Germiston Mortuary on Thursday.

Her identification brings the number of formally identified victims in the wider Ekurhuleni investigation to four, as police continue working to establish the circumstances surrounding the deaths.

Gracious Nkomo Identified At Germiston Mortuary

Nkomo was the third woman whose body was discovered in the Kempton Park area on 10 September.

Police confirmed that her family positively identified her at the Germiston Mortuary on 17 September, bringing an end to days of uncertainty over her identity.

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The Zimbabwean national lived in Pretoria and had been working at a lodge in Kempton Park before she disappeared.

Her death is now part of a wider police investigation into the discovery of women’s bodies at different locations across Ekurhuleni.

R21 Murder Investigation Continues As Police Intensify Operations

The identification comes as investigators continue examining the deaths of women whose bodies have been found across the East Rand.

SAPS has assembled a multidisciplinary team to work on the cases, with investigators pursuing available leads to establish what happened and identify those responsible. Acting National Commissioner Lieutenant General Puleng Dimpane said police remained focused on the investigation.

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“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,” said Lieutenant General Dimpane.

Police operations have also been intensified in Kempton Park as detectives continue investigating the deaths.

Nine Women Found Dead Across Ekurhuleni

Nkomo’s identification comes as the wider investigation continues to grow following the discovery of another woman’s body in Dawn Park on Thursday.

That discovery brought the number of women found dead across Ekurhuleni to nine, although police have not established that all nine cases are connected.

Nkomo is among four victims whose identities have now been publicly confirmed, alongside Elizabeth “Tsontso” Moselakgomo, Itumeleng Kekana and Dineo Evelyn Motapane.

SAPS continues to appeal for information that could assist investigators as intensified policing operations remain in place across Kempton Park and other affected areas.