Itumeleng Kekana Identified As Second Victim In Ekurhuleni Women Killings

The family of Itumeleng Kekana finally has confirmation of what happened to their missing loved one, but her identification has left them with painful questions about how she died.

Kekana, who was originally from QwaQwa in the Free State, was reported missing on 17 July. She is the second of eight women whose bodies have been discovered across Ekurhuleni in recent months to have been formally identified.

Her partially naked body was found near a bridge along the R21 on 3 August, 17 days after she disappeared in Kempton Park. Police have not established whether her death is connected to the other cases, with investigations into the killings continuing.

Itumeleng Kekana Missing For 17 Days Before Body Was Found

The Itumeleng Kekana case began when she suddenly left a conversation with a colleague at about 7pm on 17 July, saying she would return. Her colleague initially believed she had gone to meet a client because Kekana sold beauty products.

“That was the last time she was seen alive,” her brother Themba Kekana said.

When she failed to return, her family began searching for her. By Monday, 19 July, Themba had travelled from QwaQwa to Kempton Park to join the search for his younger sister.

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The family checked hospitals, clinics, mortuaries and police stations as they continued looking for Kekana. Their search ended on 3 August when they were informed that a body had been discovered.

“We found her partially naked. Her face was unrecognisable. We don’t know what was used to hit her in the face. She had bruises and cuts below the breast. We really didn’t understand what had happened to her,” Kekana recalled.

Her identity was confirmed using features including her body size, complexion and dyed hair. She was subsequently laid to rest in QwaQwa on 22 August.

Ekurhuleni Women Killings Leave Kekana Family Seeking Answers

The Ekurhuleni women killings have added another layer of anguish for Kekana’s family, who learned that other women had subsequently been found dead in the area.

The family is now questioning whether there could be a connection between the cases, although police have not confirmed any link. Experienced investigators have been brought in to assist with the broader investigation following the discovery of eight women's bodies across Ekurhuleni.

“We are shattered to learn that the murders on women are still continuing and that there are other families going through the pain that we went through. This makes our pain even worse, and we are asking ourselves what is really happening,” Kekana told Sowetan.

The family wants investigators to examine CCTV footage from a camera located close to where Itumeleng’s body was discovered. They believe the footage could help establish what happened before her death and provide answers about her final movements.

Police spokesperson Brig Athlenda Mathe confirmed to Sowetan that Kekana was among the women whose bodies were recently discovered in the Kempton Park area.

Itumeleng Kekana’s Daughter Struggling After Her Death

The death of Itumeleng Kekana has also had a devastating impact on her 14-year-old daughter, who now lives with her grandparents. Her family says the teenager is struggling to understand and cope with the loss of her mother.

“This has broken the child. She is not OK at all. You can ask for a glass of water and she will go to the kitchen and come back empty-handed. She is struggling to cope,” Kekana said.

Amid the family's grief, Themba said he wanted his sister to be remembered for the person she was rather than the circumstances surrounding her death. He described her as humble and a passionate Orlando Pirates supporter.

The killings have prompted renewed concern about safety in parts of Ekurhuleni. Residents have raised issues including non-functioning streetlights and overgrown grass, while Ekurhuleni mayor Nkosindiphile Xhakaza described the situation as having reached a “crisis point”.

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Xhakaza said the city needed to address those problems but cautioned that they should not be considered the reasons women were being killed. He said the municipality would work with community policing forums, security stakeholders and other community structures to strengthen safety efforts.

Deputy national police commissioner Lt-Gen Tebello Mosikili has warned those responsible for the killings that their freedom would not last. President Cyril Ramaphosa has also called for the investigations to be prioritised.

“I have directed that these cases be prioritised and that no stone be left unturned in bringing those responsible to justice,” he said.

Xhakaza has also urged residents to report incidents to police and other relevant authorities, saying unreported cases can make it more difficult for authorities to identify patterns.