The Nigerian Consulate-General in Johannesburg has advised Nigerians, particularly women, to exercise increased caution in parts of Ekurhuleni following the deaths of eight women in the area.
The mission said the deaths occurred over a period of about two months in and around Kempton Park, Rhodesfield and other parts of Ekurhuleni, east of Johannesburg.
In a safety advisory issued on September 16, the consulate said the South African Police Service had launched investigations into the deaths and deployed a multidisciplinary team involving specialised law-enforcement personnel.
The advisory stated, “The Consulate General of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in Johannesburg wishes to draw the urgent attention of members of the Nigerian Community to serious and developing safety concerns following the deaths of eight women whose cases are currently being investigated by the South African Police Service.”
According to the mission, investigators have identified “concerning similarities” in some of the cases and are examining whether the incidents may be connected.
However, the consulate stressed that South African authorities had not established that a single person was responsible for the deaths or confirmed that a serial killer was involved.
It therefore urged Nigerians living, working, studying or regularly travelling through the affected areas to remain vigilant and adopt reasonable safety measures.
Women were advised against walking, jogging or exercising alone in isolated, poorly lit or unfamiliar locations, including deserted pathways and open fields.
The mission also encouraged residents to move in groups where possible, vary their routes and routines, and avoid repeatedly using secluded areas.
It further advised Nigerians to remain conscious of their surroundings and limit the use of headphones or mobile phones while walking or exercising in areas with poor visibility or little pedestrian activity.
The consulate also urged residents to tell relatives, friends or other trusted people where they were going, their expected route and when they were likely to return.
It warned Nigerians against sharing unverified photographs, names, videos, voice notes or accusations purporting to identify suspects.
According to the mission, spreading such material could interfere with the investigation, damage the reputation of innocent people and hinder the work of law-enforcement agencies.
The consulate said the warning was not intended to cause panic or prevent Nigerians from moving freely, but to encourage members of the community to take sensible precautions while investigations continue.
It also stressed that the safety measures should not be interpreted as shifting responsibility for preventing violence onto women.
The mission said the precautions were intended only to “reduce exposure to immediate risks” while the authorities investigate the circumstances surrounding the deaths.
The consulate expressed sympathy to the families of the deceased and appealed to anyone with credible information to report directly to the South African Police Service rather than sharing allegations on social media.
For emergencies, Nigerians were advised to contact the SAPS on 10111, while anonymous information can be reported through Crime Stop on 08600 10111. The mobile emergency number is 112.
The mission also provided its community line, +27627642412, and email address, [email protected], for Nigerians directly affected by a serious incident.
The consulate said it would continue monitoring the situation and working with the Nigerian High Commission in Pretoria and relevant South African authorities.
