The Nigerian Consulate-General in Johannesburg has issued a safety advisory to Nigerians living, working, studying or travelling through parts of Ekurhuleni following the deaths of eight women whose cases are being investigated by the South African Police Service.
The advisory, dated September 16, 2026, specifically highlighted Kempton Park, Rhodesfield and surrounding areas in Ekurhuleni, east of Johannesburg, where the deaths occurred over approximately two months.
According to the consulate, South African authorities have deployed a multidisciplinary investigation team comprising specialised law-enforcement personnel to examine the cases.
Investigators have identified concerning similarities in some of the incidents and are examining whether the deaths could be connected. However, the Nigerian mission stressed that South African police have not established that the deaths were committed by a single person or confirmed speculation that a serial killer was responsible.
The consulate said the circumstances surrounding each death remained under investigation but considered the developments serious enough to warrant heightened vigilance and reasonable personal-safety measures, particularly among Nigerian women and girls who regularly move through the affected areas.
Nigerians were advised to avoid walking, jogging or exercising alone in isolated, poorly lit, deserted or unfamiliar locations, including open fields and secluded pathways. The mission also encouraged residents to move in groups where possible, vary their routes and schedules, and avoid repeatedly using isolated locations.
The advisory further urged Nigerians to remain aware of their surroundings and avoid prolonged use of headphones or mobile phones when walking or exercising in places with limited visibility or pedestrian activity.
Residents were also encouraged to inform family members, friends or other trusted people about their destinations, routes and expected return times.
The consulate said the advisory was issued against the wider background of crime in Gauteng Province. It cited South African Police Service statistics showing that 1,223 murders and 2,369 sexual offences were recorded in Gauteng between January and March 2026, alongside 39,094 contact crimes against persons during the same period.
The mission, however, made clear that those broader crime figures do not establish a connection between the eight deaths and any particular crime pattern.
The consulate also warned Nigerians against circulating unverified photographs, names, videos, voice notes or accusations identifying alleged suspects or linking unrelated incidents to the deaths.
It said spreading unverified information could prejudice ongoing investigations, cause harm to innocent people and interfere with law-enforcement efforts to establish what happened.
The Nigerian mission stressed that the advisory was not intended to create panic or restrict the lawful movement of Nigerians in South Africa. Instead, it said the measures were intended as practical precautions while South African authorities continue their investigations.
The warning comes as South African authorities continue investigating the deaths. The South African Police Service reported on September 17 that a ninth body had been recovered in Dawn Park, Ekurhuleni, although the consulate's September 16 advisory specifically addressed the eight deaths known at the time it was issued.
The consulate expressed condolences to the families and loved ones of the deceased women and urged anyone with credible information that could assist investigators to report directly to the South African Police Service rather than publishing allegations on social media.
Nigerians who require emergency assistance can contact South African police on 10111, Crime Stop on 08600 10111 or the mobile emergency number 112. The Nigerian Consulate-General also provided a community line for Nigerians directly affected by a serious incident.
The consulate said it would continue monitoring developments and liaising with the Nigerian High Commission in Pretoria and relevant South African authorities as investigations progress.
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