September 14, 2026.

For Creamer Media in Johannesburg, I’m Halima Frost.

Making headlines: SAPS deploys task team as political outrage mounts over murder of 5 women; Ramaphosa greenlights SIU probe into eThekwini municipality, North West Transport Investments; And, Senegal's President to meet IMF chief in Washington

SAPS deploys task team as political outrage mounts over murder of 5 women

The South African Police Service has issued an urgent safety warning to women in and around Kempton Park, specifically in the Rhodesfield area, following the discovery of five women's bodies over a period of about two months.

Preliminary evidence gathered by the SAPS has revealed “deeply concerning similarities” across all five crime scenes.

The bodies of the women were discovered half-naked with visible bruising, and all were dumped within the same immediate vicinity.

While SAPS has stopped short of officially declaring the presence of a serial killer, authorities admit the striking similarities are sufficiently alarming to warrant immediate public mobilisation and an intensified criminal investigation.

In response, Acting National Commissioner of the SAPS Lieutenant General Puleng Dimpane, has ordered the immediate establishment of a dedicated multidisciplinary task team.

The specialised unit will be led by Gauteng Deputy Provincial Commissioner Major General Mbuso Khumalo, who has been ordered to ensure that "no stone is left unturned."

The task team will pull resources from elite divisions, including the murder and robbery unit, the investigative psychology unit and localised intelligence and forensic disciplines.

Ramaphosa greenlights SIU probe into eThekwini municipality, North West Transport Investments

President Cyril Ramaphosa has signed a new proclamation and a key amendment empowering the Special Investigating Unit to probe deep-seated allegations of serious maladministration, corruption, and irregular expenditure at the eThekwini Metropolitan Municipality and the North West Transport Investments, with a direct mandate to recover financial losses suffered by the State.

Ramaphosa amended an existing proclamation to expand the ongoing investigation into the eThekwini Metropolitan Municipality.

The initial 2024 proclamation authorised the SIU to investigate the municipality's procurement of security and VIP protection services.

The new amendment extends the investigation period and brings specific contracts under forensic scrutiny.

In the North West, the SIU will investigate the affairs of the NTI, alongside its wholly-owned subsidiary North West Star, and the Atteridgeville Bus Service.

According to SIU spokesperson Selby Makgotho the investigation will target procurement, contracting, and payment processes related to contracts handled by Zentrafor Fuel Limited, trading as FuelU, services rendered under a vehicle rental agreement in 2023 and operations outlined in a Sub-Contractor Agreement also in 2023.

And, Senegal's President to meet IMF chief in Washington

Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye will hold talks with International Monetary Fund Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva tomorrow in Washington, an IMF spokesperson said today.

The two leaders will discuss recent economic developments and Senegal's economic reform programme.

A statement from Senegal's council of ministers published last week said Faye would make a working visit to Washington on Tuesday and Wednesday, and an official visit to Abu Dhabi on Thursday and Friday.

That’s a roundup of news making headlines today

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