Nigeria Issues Safety Alert in South Africa After 8 Women Found Dead Near Johannesburg Airport
Consulate urges Nigerians in Kempton Park, Rhodesfield and surrounding Ekurhuleni areas to exercise caution as police investigate deaths; ninth woman found dead in Dawn Park on September 17
The Nigerian Consulate-General in Johannesburg has issued a safety advisory to Nigerians living, working, studying or travelling through Kempton Park, Rhodesfield and surrounding parts of Ekurhuleni following the deaths of eight women whose cases are being investigated by the South African Police Service (SAPS).
The advisory, dated September 16, 2026, comes amid an intensive police investigation into a series of deaths reported across communities east of Johannesburg, close to O.R. Tambo International Airport.
The Nigerian mission stressed that the advisory does not establish that any of the eight victims were Nigerian. Instead, it was issued to warn Nigerian residents and visitors in the affected areas to take reasonable precautions while the investigation continues.
According to the consulate, the deaths occurred over approximately two months and prompted SAPS to establish a multidisciplinary investigation involving specialised law-enforcement resources. Investigators have identified what the mission described as “concerning similarities” in some of the cases and are examining whether the incidents may be connected.
Police, however, have not confirmed that the deaths were carried out by a single perpetrator or that a serial killer is responsible.
The consulate said the situation was serious enough to warrant heightened vigilance, particularly among Nigerian women and girls who live, work, study, exercise, socialise or regularly travel through the affected communities.
The mission also cited wider crime figures for Gauteng. SAPS recorded 1,223 murders, 2,369 sexual offences and 39,094 contact crimes in the province between January and March 2026. The consulate made clear that those statistics do not establish a connection between the eight deaths and any particular pattern of crime.
Nigerians in the affected areas were advised to avoid walking, jogging or exercising alone in isolated, poorly lit or unfamiliar locations, including open fields and secluded pathways.
The consulate also encouraged people to travel or exercise in groups where possible, vary their routes and schedules, remain alert to their surroundings and avoid prolonged use of headphones or mobile phones in areas with limited visibility or pedestrian activity.
Residents were further advised to inform trusted family members or friends of their destination, route and expected return time.
The Nigerian mission warned against sharing unverified photographs, names, videos, voice notes or allegations about suspected perpetrators on social media, saying such information could harm innocent people and interfere with ongoing investigations.
Instead, anyone with credible information was urged to report directly to South African law-enforcement authorities.
SAPS emergency services can be reached on 10111, while Crime Stop is available on 08600 10111. The mobile emergency number is 112, and information can also be submitted through the MySAPS application. The Nigerian consulate provided a community assistance line, +27 62 764 2412, for Nigerians directly affected by serious incidents.
The police investigation has focused on deaths reported in areas including Kempton Park, Rhodesfield, Olifantsfontein, Clayville and KwaThema. Several victims were women in their 20s and 30s, and police have been examining possible similarities between the cases.
Authorities have established a specialised investigative team and announced a R400,000 reward for information that could lead to the arrest of those responsible for the deaths. Additional police deployments and intensified operations have also been announced in affected areas.
The situation changed again on Thursday, September 17, when police discovered the body of another woman in Dawn Park, Boksburg, in Ekurhuleni.
South African police said the woman was believed to be around 30 years old and was found partially clothed. Preliminary information indicated that her body may have been dumped at the location, although investigators were still working to establish the circumstances of her death. Her identity had not been released at the time of reporting.
The Dawn Park discovery brings the number of women’s bodies found across Ekurhuleni since July to nine. Police have not established that all nine deaths were committed by the same person or group, and investigators continue to examine each case and possible links between them.
The latest discovery came less than 24 hours after the Nigerian consulate issued its safety advisory, underscoring the rapidly developing nature of the investigation.
The consulate said its warning was not intended to create panic or restrict the lawful movement of Nigerians. Rather, it urged members of the community to remain informed, exercise reasonable caution and cooperate with authorities while investigations continue.
The Nigerian mission said it would continue monitoring developments and liaising with the Nigerian High Commission in Pretoria and relevant South African authorities.
Police are appealing to anyone with credible information about the deaths to come forward directly through official channels as investigators work to establish what happened in each case and whether the incidents are connected.
