Ninth Woman Found Dead In Ekurhuleni As Dawn Park Body Adds To Police Probe

Police in Ekurhuleni are investigating the discovery of a ninth woman’s body after her remains were found in Dawn Park on Thursday morning, 17 September 2026.

The latest discovery comes just days after police expanded their investigation into the deaths of women whose bodies have been found in different parts of the East Rand. Authorities have yet to establish whether the cases are connected and are continuing to examine the circumstances surrounding each death.

Ninth Woman Found Dead In Dawn Park

According to preliminary information, the woman was found semi-naked and wrapped in a sheet in the Dawn Park area.

Acting Gauteng police commissioner Major General Fred Kekana indicated that the initial assessment suggested the body had been dumped at the location. The woman had not been publicly identified at the time of reporting, and police had not yet released details about how she died.

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The discovery has added another case to an already extensive investigation being conducted by specialised police teams across Ekurhuleni.

Ekurhuleni Women Deaths Spread Across East Rand

The latest case follows the discovery of women's bodies in several locations, including Kempton Park, Olifantsfontein, Clayville and KwaThema. Police have been reviewing cases from different stations after identifying an increase in reports involving women's bodies being found in public spaces.

Police have stressed that similarities between some of the cases do not yet establish that the deaths were committed by the same person or group. A specialised multidisciplinary team is examining the cases collectively while investigators continue to follow individual leads.

The police investigation intensified this week after authorities announced a R400,000 reward for information that could assist in securing arrests in the cases. Operation Shanela has also been intensified in Kempton Park and surrounding areas as police increase their visibility.

Dineo Motapane Identified As Police Probe Continues

Meanwhile, one of the recently discovered victims has been identified as 38-year-old Dineo Evelyn Motapane.

Motapane's body was discovered in KwaThema, Springs, on Tuesday, 15 September. Her family positively identified her at the Springs Mortuary on Wednesday afternoon, 16 September.

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According to police and her family, Motapane was last seen alive on Sunday and had not been reported missing before her body was discovered.

Her identification brings the number of formally identified victims to three, while investigations continue into the deaths and police appeal to families with missing relatives to come forward.

Police are offering a R400,000 reward for information that could assist with arrests, while the Democratic Alliance has separately announced a R500,000 reward for information leading to successful criminal prosecutions.

Anyone with information that could assist investigators is urged to come forward as the investigation continues.