SAPS Warns Against Sharing Fake Ekurhuleni Murder Suspect Photos As Citizens Call for Action
- The South African Police Service has weighed in on photos circulating of alleged suspects wanted for the Ekurhuleni murders
- Nine women's bodies have been found dumped across Ekurhuleni over a two-month period, drawing intense public scrutiny online
- South Africans took to social media to weigh in on the statement released by police, with many calling for action to be taken
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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 South African Police Service has urged the public to stop sharing photographs and unverified information linked to a series of murders of women in Ekurhuleni, warning that doing so puts innocent people at risk.
SAPS National Spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe issued the caution on 18 September 2026, stressing that the police have not released any official identikit, wanted poster, or photograph of a person of interest in connection with the killings.
It's not the first time police have urged citizens not to share unverified information about the murders of nine women in Ekurhuleni in the past two months.
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What SAPS said about the Ekurhuleni murders
Noting that some photos had been doing the rounds, Brigadier Mathe stated that police would communicate officially once a suspect had been identified.
"Members of the public are cautioned against sharing unverified information, as this could result in innocent people being wrongly identified, harassed or targeted," Mathe said in a statement.
"SAPS assures the public that it is seized with these cases and is following every lead that may assist investigators in establishing the circumstances surrounding the murders and identifying those responsible," she said.
How did South Africans react?
The statement drew considerable public debate, with users divided on how best to respond to the police's communication.
Vincent Makache wrote:
"There is no smoke without fire."
Keratilwe Thwane suggested:
"I think it is better if you locate or track the person who posted that picture and arrest him/her."
Lon Maggub remarked:
"The FBI would've already identified the suspect."
Karen Boardman raised a broader question, asking:
"Also, has SAPS looked into previous serial killers or suspects with a similar MO that have been released, or not convicted? And what about those unsolved serial killer cases where no perpetrator was arrested or found?"
Sokhela Ntokozo Sakhi called for consequences, writing:
"And those that are caught posting unverified images must be arrested and sentenced."
Minister tells South African men to stop murdering women
Briefly News reported that Minister Sindisiwe Chikunga addressed South African men directly at a government memorial in Ekurhuleni.
The memorial was held to mourn nine women killed in a wave of gender-based violence within the space of two months.
Chikunga's remarks that South African men are responsible prompted fierce online pushback, with many rejecting her framing of the crisis.
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Source: Briefly News
