"They Tried": Gracious Nkomo's Family Speaks Out After R21 Murder Victim's Body Found

• Gracious Nkomo's loved ones gathered at Kempton Park Police Station after the 28-year-old's death sent shockwaves through the community
• Family members struggled to get a case number, forcing them to make multiple trips to the station before they could open a case
• The case drew widespread attention on social media, with thousands of people following updates about Gracious's death

Gracious Nkomo's family was at Kempton Park Police Station on 18 September 2026, visibly distressed and struggling to process the loss of their loved one. The 28-year-old was part of a heartbreaking story that was already trending across social media, with thousands sharing messages and updates about her death.

An interviewer speaking on behalf of those present said family members were not coping well. The clip, filmed outside the police station, captured the raw grief of those who had known Gracious.

What did Aisha Gracious Nkomo's family say?

Getting to this point had not been straightforward. Gracious' aunt explained that the family struggled to secure a case number, as they were unable to open a case. A friend of the aunt said they identified her body at a mortuary after another young woman who last saw Gracious confirmed what she was wearing. Identifying Gracious was a challenge because her face was swollen, and they needed to verify it was her through different means.

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The family gave statements to police, but they are not yet aware of any information about what happened to Gracious. They also said Brigadier Thema called them asking if she could take the case to social media, which they rejected. The young man who last saw Gracious fled the scene after helping, and they had no information about why the lodge where she was last seen did not speak out.

They described Gracious as quiet but happy. Those present thanked Zimbabweans and a woman named "Stress Free" for their efforts in raising awareness and supporting the family. The interviewer in the video posted by @vchihera1 also mentioned that the Zimbabwean consulate had been in contact with the family, offering assistance during this difficult time. Watch the family speak outside Kempton Park Police Station below:

Mzansi and the Zimbabweans react

People watching the footage were moved by the family's pain and the community's response:

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@thembelanimasuku5 wrote:

"Sorry sorry may God comfort the family"

@gojo said:

"More thanks to Stress Free, she tried her best"

@Walter Manyikas noted:

"Something is not right at the guesthouse"

@Xesh shared:

"My family wouldn't entertain this interview."

Other Briefly News stories about the Ekurhuleni murders

• A viral TikTok video posted by a grief-stricken Zimbabwean creator showed her paying tribute to Aisha Gracious Nkomo, one of the women found dead in Ekurhuleni.
• Law enforcement authorities confirmed they have identified three persons of interest as multi-disciplinary task teams intensify their investigation.
• Renowned forensic psychologist Dr Gérard Labuschagne urged police to treat the tragic deaths across Ekurhuleni as potential serial killings until evidence proves otherwise.

Source: Briefly News