Inquest opened after woman’s body found in Soweto dam - IOL

Police have opened an inquest into the death of an unidentified woman whose body was found wrapped in a duvet in a dam in Moroka, Soweto, on Sunday evening.

Gauteng police have opened an inquest docket after the body of an unidentified woman was found wrapped in a duvet in a dam in Moroka, Soweto.

Police said the body was discovered on Sunday, September 20, 2026 at about 5pm. 

The woman is believed to have been in her 20s.

Gauteng police spokesperson Colonel Dimakatso Nevhuhulwi said the circumstances surrounding the woman’s death were not known at this stage.

“The circumstances surrounding the incident are unknown at this stage,” Nevhuhulwi said.

Police appealed to anyone with information about the incident, or who could assist with the investigation, to contact their nearest police station, call Crime Stop on 08600 10111 or submit an anonymous tip-off through the MySAPS app.

The discovery comes as police investigate a series of cases involving the bodies of nine women found at different locations in Ekurhuleni over a two-month period.

The first woman was found on July 15 in a field in Kempton Park. She was 37 and was found naked with her hands bound with cable ties. A suspect was arrested two days later. 

Her identity and cause of death have not been publicly disclosed.

On 17 July, 32-year-old Itumeleng Kekana went missing in Kempton Park. 

Her family searched hospitals, police stations and mortuaries before her body was found on August 3 on Great North Road in Pomona. She left behind her parents and a 14-year-old daughter.

On August 24, a 32-year-old woman was found partially clothed near the R21. 

Her identity and cause of death have not been publicly disclosed.

On September 7, the body of a woman believed to be in her late 20s was found in a river in Clayville, near the Mall of Tembisa. 

She was wearing only her underwear.

Three days later, on September 10, a woman’s body was found near the R21 in Kempton Park. 

Her family later identified her as 28-year-old Gracious Nkomo. Police said she had been found partially clothed.

Around the same time, 38-year-old Elizabeth “Tsontso” Moselakgomo was found dead behind a hotel in Rhodesfield after going out for her usual run. 

Her family later identified her. She was buried over the weekend in Mpumalanga.

On September 14, a semi-naked woman with bruising was found in Olifantsfontein. She has not been publicly identified.

The following day, 38-year-old Dineo Evelyn Motapane was found beside a road in KwaThema, Springs. Preliminary pathology findings indicated that she had been strangled. 

Her family identified her at Springs Mortuary.

The ninth woman was found on September 17 in an open area on Lama Street in Villa Lisa, Dawn Park. 

She was believed to be about 30 and was found partially clothed, wearing a blue T-shirt and pink underwear. 

She had suffered a fatal throat injury.

Police subsequently arrested one man and two women in connection with her murder. 

The three suspects were arrested over the weekend by members of the Gauteng Murder and Robbery Unit.

They are expected to appear before the Boksburg Magistrates’ Court on Monday, September 21.

Acting National Commissioner of the South African Police Service, Lieutenant General Puleng Dimpane, said all nine murder cases were receiving priority attention.

“We remain committed to ensuring that these investigations are pursued with the urgency and determination they require. Our investigators are following all available leads and are working tirelessly to bring those responsible to justice,” Dimpane said.