Gracious Nkomo Identified As Third Woman Found Dead Along R21 in Kempton Park in Ekurhuleni

• The family of Gracious Nkomo confirmed her identity at the Germiston Mortuary on 17 September 2026
• The 28-year-old Nkomo was the third woman whose body was discovered in the Kempton Park area
• Nine women's bodies have been found dumped across Ekurhuleni since July 2026, with five now formally identified

Byron Pillay, a Briefly News journalist, has dedicated a decade to reporting on the South African political landscape, crime, and social issues. He worked as a newspaper journalist for 10 years before transitioning to online.

GAUTENG — The family of 28-year-old Gracious Nkomo has formally identified her as one of the women whose remains were found along the R21 highway in Kempton Park.

Nkomo's family made the identification at the Germiston Mortuary on 17 September 2026, confirming that she was the third woman whose body was recovered in the Kempton Park area.

Her body was found on 10 September 2026. She was found partially clothed at the scene. Her identification brings to five the number of victims formally named out of nine women whose bodies have been discovered dumped across Ekurhuleni since July 2026.

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Ninth body discovered in Dawn Park

The confirmation was made on the same day that a ninth body was found in Ekurhuleni. The body was found in Dawn Park, dumped on the side of the road. The woman was identified as 23-year-old Tebello.

Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi vowed that police would track down those responsible, saying they had “declared war” on the State.

The repeated discovery of women's bodies in the area has raised serious concerns about the safety of residents in and around Ekurhuleni, and pressure on the South African Police Service to identify suspects and establish whether the cases are linked.

Investigators have not yet released details on whether the deaths are being treated as the work of a single perpetrator or multiple individuals.

Criminologist weighs in on possibility of a serial killer

Briefly News reported that criminologist Professor Nirmala Gopal weighed in on the murders in Kempton Park.

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Rachel John speaks out on the femicide crisis gripping South Africa

Professor Gopal said that the pattern of killings involving the women was consistent with the work of a single perpetrator.

The police have urged caution against drawing premature conclusions, as the community has been gripped by fear.

Source: Briefly News