SAPS to lock down parts of Ekurhuleni after nine women found dead

Parts of Ekurhuleni are set for a major policing operation after the discovery of nine women’s bodies across the city sparked an urgent response from law enforcement.

Police will significantly increase their presence in Kempton Park and surrounding areas in the coming weeks, with Operation Shanela set to be expanded as investigators work to establish who is responsible for the killings, as reported by Business Tech.

Acting Police Minister Professor Firoz Cachalia announced the intensified response during a media briefing on Wednesday, 16 September, where he also confirmed that a high-level multidisciplinary team had been formed to investigate the cases.

The investigation comes after police initially confirmed over the weekend that four women had been found dead in the same area over roughly two months. The number rose sharply after additional bodies were discovered elsewhere in Ekurhuleni on Monday and Tuesday, with a ninth victim confirmed on Thursday.

The discoveries have been reported in several areas, including Kempton Park, Olifantsfontein, Clayville near Tembisa Mall, and KwaThema/Springs.

With the cases now receiving national attention, Cachalia said law enforcement would maintain its focus on the investigation and work closely with affected communities.

‘The team is in place,’ Cachalia said, adding that SAPS had the necessary experience and specialist expertise to deal with investigations of this nature.

The police response will extend beyond the investigation itself. Cachalia said Operation Shanela would be ‘massively expanded’ around Kempton Park, with residents expected to see a much heavier law enforcement presence in the area.

‘The police will lock down this area in the coming weeks,’ he said, while stressing that police would mobilise the necessary law enforcement resources and work alongside communities.

The multidisciplinary team has been established as authorities attempt to piece together the circumstances surrounding the deaths and determine whether there are connections between the cases.

Cachalia was joined at the briefing by Minister of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities Sindisiwe Chikunga, Social Development Minister Dina Pule, Deputy Minister of Police Dr Polly Boshielo, Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi and Acting National Commissioner of SAPS Lieutenant General Puleng Dimpane.

Authorities are also hoping members of the public can help move the investigation forward.

A R400 000 reward has been offered for information that could lead to the arrest of the person or people responsible for the killings.

For families waiting for answers, the coming weeks are likely to bring a highly visible police operation across parts of Ekurhuleni as investigators work to establish what happened to the eight women and identify those responsible.

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Ekurhuleni murders update: Body of ninth woman found in Dawn Park

**Picture: **Pexels

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