EKURHULENI – Police are investigating a possible love triangle as a motive in the murder of Jabulile Ntimba, the ninth woman whose body has been discovered in Ekurhuleni during a series of killings under investigation.
Deputy National Police Commissioner Lieutenant General Tebello Mosikili said on Monday, 21 September that investigators had identified indications that Ntimba’s murder may have stemmed from a relationship-related dispute.
“In Jabulile Ntimba’s case, there does appear to be an indication that her murder may have stemmed from a relationship-related matter, including what has been described as a possible love triangle,” Mosikili said.
She said police would not disclose further details at this stage, because doing so could compromise the investigation and court proceedings.
The case has been postponed to 28 October for further investigation.
Suspects arrested
Three suspects – two women and a man – were arrested over the weekend by members of the Gauteng Murder and Robbery Unit in connection with Ntimba’s murder.
They appeared before the Boksburg Magistrates’ Court on Monday.
Ntimba’s body was discovered on 17 September in an open area in Villa Liza, near Dawn Park. Police subsequently identified her as the ninth woman whose death forms part of the wider investigation into bodies discovered across Ekurhuleni since July.
Police rule out link to other cases for now
Mosikili said investigators had not established a link between Ntimba’s murder and the deaths of the other women.
Police have previously cautioned against concluding that the deaths were necessarily the work of a single perpetrator or group.
The latest information indicates that investigators are examining each case individually while also looking for possible connections between them. Police have not confirmed that a serial killer is responsible for the wider series of deaths.
Nine women killed
The nine women whose bodies have been discovered in the cases currently under investigation were found between 15 July and 17 September.
They are:
- Busisiwe Mahlangu – Kempton Park, 15 July
- Itumeleng Kekana – Kempton Park, 3 August
- Nomfesane Mjobo – Kempton Park, 26 August
- An unidentified woman – Clayville River, Olifantsfontein, 7 September
- Gracious Nkomo – Kempton Park, 10 September
- Elizabeth Moselakgomo – Kempton Park, 12 September
- An unidentified woman whose name has not yet been released – Olifantsfontein, 14 September
- Dineo Motapane – Kwa-Thema, 15 September
- Jabulile Ntimba – Dawn Park, 17 September.
Police said all nine murder investigations were being treated as priority cases.
Acting National Commissioner of the South African Police Service, Lieutenant General Puleng Dimpane, said investigators were following all available leads and deploying the necessary resources.
Police appeal for information
Police have appealed to members of the public with information about the murders to come forward.
Information can be provided to Warrant Officer Elvis Manyike on 082 465 7249, SAPS Crime Stop on 08600 10111, or anonymously through the MySAPS application.
A R400 000 reward has also been announced for information that could assist police in identifying and arresting perpetrators linked to the killings.
Investigations remain ongoing
The arrest of three suspects marks a significant development in the investigation into Ntimba’s death, but the suspects remain accused persons and have not been convicted.
Police are continuing to investigate the circumstances surrounding each of the nine deaths and whether any links exist between the individual cases.
