Three suspects are expected to appear in the Boksburg Magistrates’ Court on Monday, marking a major breakthrough in the investigation into a horrifying string of women's murders that has gripped the country.

The South African Police Service (SAPS) announced the arrests of one man and two women over the weekend, following an operation by members of the Gauteng Murder and Robbery Unit, in connection with the murder of a ninth victim.

Between July and September 2026, the bodies of nine women have been discovered dumped across the Ekurhuleni municipality, east of Johannesburg.

The discoveries over this two-month period have sparked national outrage, widespread community protests, and a large-scale police probe into whether a serial killer or multiple perpetrators are behind the atrocities.

Acting National Commissioner of the SAPS, Lieutenant General Puleng Dimpane, confirmed that police are “fully seized” with all nine murder cases, promising that each is 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.

In response to the escalating crisis, parts of Ekurhuleni – including KwaThema and Nigel – are currently under localised lockdowns, with increased police visibility deployed to boost safety.

The breakthrough comes amid surging political pressure on national and local government structures.

Last week, DA mayoral candidate for Ekurhuleni Khathu Rasilingwane, launched a full-scale petition rallying residents and women across the municipality to reject government instructions urging women to "protect themselves".

In a direct bid to accelerate the investigation, Rasilingwane announced that the DA is offering an additional R500 000 reward for any information leading to the arrest and successful criminal prosecution of the murderer.

Concurrently, the DA has written to the Speaker of Parliament Thoko Didiza, requesting an urgent debate of national importance on the escalating gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF) crisis gripping Ekurhuleni.

DA spokesperson on Police Lisa Schickerling, insisted that Parliament must hold those responsible for protecting women and children strictly to account.

“Violence and the threat of violence are a daily reality for women in our communities. These tragic deaths are part of a devastating cycle that demands urgent action from government, including the President, the South African Police Service, the Department of Justice, and other departments responsible for protecting women and bringing perpetrators to justice,” Schickerling said.

She highlighted that despite widespread calls for a multidisciplinary team and intensified focus from civil society, the vast majority of these cases have remained unsolved until this weekend's arrests.

She emphasised that while GBVF has long been on Parliament’s agenda, the rapidly deteriorating situation in Ekurhuleni demands immediate and specific intervention.

Last week, Amnesty International South Africa called on the State to recognise femicide as a distinct crime, warning that failure to do so leaves the targeted killing of women largely unaddressed.

Femicide, defined as the gender-motivated killing of a woman because she is a woman, is currently not classified as a separate offence under South African law.