PROJECT: DISINFORMATION, UNVERIFIED INFORMATION AND THE SPREAD OF RUMOURS
PLEASE SHARE THIS PUBLIC DOCUMENT
The deaths of several women in and around Kempton Park and wider Ekurhuleni
have resulted in significant public concern and widespread circulation of information on social media.
SAPS has confirmed similarities between a number of the cases and has established a high-level,
multidisciplinary investigation to determine whether the deaths are connected.
However, police have not conclusively established that a serial killer is responsible.
Acting Police Minister Firoz Cachalia stated on 20 September 2026
that investigations had not reached that conclusion and that no possibility had been ruled out.
MISINFORMATION AND DISINFORMATION:
The Kempton Park and Ekurhuleni murders have generated a substantial amount of information on social media.
Not all of this information is verified.
SAPS has already had to correct false information circulating online.
One message claimed that a suspect described as the “Kempton Park Serial Killer” had moved to Potchefstroom and that a major police operation had been launched there.
North West SAPS stated that it had no official report or complaint confirming those claims.
Police have also had to clarify that a photograph circulated online as being connected to the Ekurhuleni murders actually related to an unrelated rape investigation in Dobsonville.
These incidents demonstrate the difference between verified information, misinformation, rumours and disinformation.
A person who knowingly creates or distributes false information to mislead the public may be engaging in disinformation. However, a person who forwards false information without knowing that it is false may simply be spreading misinformation.
For this reason, members of the public should not assume that information is accurate because it appears repeatedly on WhatsApp, Facebook, TikTok, X or other platforms.
VERIFIED INFORMATION:
SAPS initially reported four women's bodies discovered in the Kempton Park area over approximately two months.
Detectives identified similarities in the circumstances and locations and intensified the investigation.
Further bodies were subsequently discovered in other parts of Ekurhuleni, increasing the number of cases being examined as part of the investigation.
In one of the earlier cases, police arrested the victim's boyfriend, a foreign national.
That arrest relates to that specific investigation and does not establish that foreign nationals are responsible for the wider series of deaths.
DO NOT BECOME AN INVESTIGATOR ON SOCIAL MEDIA:
Social media should not be used to conduct parallel investigations or identify suspects without verified evidence.
Members of the public should not:
circulate photographs of supposed suspects;
publish the names, addresses or personal information of people they suspect;
confront or follow persons they believe may be involved;
conduct amateur surveillance;
circulate unverified “missing person” or “killer on the loose” messages;
interfere with crime scenes; or
attempt to obtain evidence independently.
Such actions can place innocent people at risk, interfere with witnesses and potentially compromise an ongoing criminal investigation.
If a member of the public has information that may assist investigators, the information should be preserved and provided directly to law enforcement rather than circulated publicly.
IMPACT ON CRIMINAL INVESTIGATIONS:
Criminal investigations depend on verified evidence, witness statements, forensic examination, intelligence and corroboration.
Unverified social-media information can:
divert attention from confirmed evidence;
generate false leads;
place innocent people under suspicion;
influence potential witnesses;
create unnecessary public panic; and
complicate ongoing police operations.
The SAPS investigation includes specialised resources and is focused on determining whether the cases are connected and, if so, identifying those responsible.
SSS ADVICE TO THE PUBLIC:
The public should:
Verify information before sharing it.
Distinguish confirmed police information from social-media claims.
Do not identify or accuse individuals without evidence.
Do not associate nationality, immigration status or political affiliation with a crime without verified evidence.
Report information directly to SAPS rather than publishing it on social media.
Preserve potentially relevant photographs, messages, locations or other information and provide them to investigators when appropriate.
Emergency incidents should be reported to SAPS on 10111.
Crime information can be provided to Crime Stop on 08600 10111.
The deaths under investigation are serious criminal matters requiring evidence-based investigation.
Confirmed similarities exist between a number of the cases, and SAPS is investigating possible links.
However, as of 20 September 2026, police had not conclusively established that a serial killer was responsible.
The distinction between confirmed facts, investigative leads and social-media speculation is essential.
The public should remain vigilant, report information to law enforcement and avoid circulating information
that has not been independently verified.
RELEVANT SSS PROJECTS:
Specialised Security Services invites the public to the Mike Bolhuis Daily Projects WhatsApp Channel.
This channel is important in delivering insights into the latest crime trends, awareness, warnings and the exposure of criminals.
How to Join the WhatsApp Channel:
1. Make sure you have the latest version of WhatsApp on your device.
2. Click on the link below to join the Mike Bolhuis Daily Projects WhatsApp Channel:
3. Follow the prompts to join the channel.
4. Make sure you click on "Follow", then click on the "bell"-icon (🔔)
CONTACT MR MIKE BOLHUIS FOR SAFETY AND SECURITY MEASURES, PROTECTION, OR AN INVESTIGATION IF NEEDED.
ALL INFORMATION RECEIVED WILL BE TREATED IN THE STRICTEST CONFIDENTIALITY AND EVERY IDENTITY WILL BE PROTECTED.
Regards,
Mike Bolhuis
Specialist Investigators into
Serious Violent, Serious Economic Crimes & Serious Cybercrimes
PSIRA Reg. 1590364/421949
Mobile: +27 82 447 6116
E-mail: mike@mikebolhuis.co.za
Fax: 086 585 4924
Follow us on Facebook to view our projects -
EXTREMELY IMPORTANT: All potential clients need to be aware that owing to the nature of our work as specialist investigators there are people who have been caught on the wrong side of the law - who are trying to discredit me - Mike Bolhuis and my organisation Specialised Security Services - to get themselves off the hook. This retaliation happens on social media and creates doubt about our integrity and ability. Doubt created on social media platforms is both unwarranted and untrue. We strongly recommend that you make up your minds concerning me and our organisation only after considering all the factual information - to the exclusion of hearsay and assumptions. Furthermore, you are welcome to address your concerns directly with me should you still be unsatisfied with your conclusions. While the internet provides a lot of valuable information, it is also a platform that distributes a lot of false information. The distribution of false information, fake news, slander and hate speech constitutes a crime that can be prosecuted by law. Your own research discretion and discernment are imperative when choosing what and what not to believe.
STANDARD RULES APPLY: Upon appointment, we require a formal mandate with detailed instructions. Please take note that should you not make use of our services – you may not under any circumstance use my name or the name of my organisation as a means to achieve whatever end.
POPI ACT 4 of 2013 South Africa: Mike Bolhuis' "Specialised Security Services" falls under Section 6 of the act. Read more here: https://mikebh.link/fntdpv
SSS TASK TEAM:
Copyright © 2015- PRESENT | Mike Bolhuis Specialised Security Services | All rights reserved.
Our mailing address is:
Mike Bolhuis Specialised Security Services
PO Box 15075 Lynn East
Pretoria, Gauteng 0039
South Africa
Add us to your address book
THIS PUBLIC DOCUMENT WAS INTENDED TO BE SHARED, PLEASE DO SO.
