Two women have appeared in the Boksburg Magistrate’s Court in connection with the murder of Jabulile Ntimba, while a third suspect arrested alongside them has been released without being charged.
Fortunate Masilela and Tsakane Nester Msithini appeared briefly in court on Monday, 21 September 2026, facing charges of premeditated murder and defeating or obstructing the course of justice.
The two were remanded in custody and are expected to bring a formal Schedule 6 bail application on 1 October.
The case follows the discovery of Ntimba’s body in Villa Liza, near Dawn Park, on 17 September.
Third suspect released as investigation continues
Police initially arrested three people — two women and a man — in connection with Ntimba’s death.
However, only Masilela and Msithini were brought before the court.
Deputy National Police Commissioner Lieutenant-General Tebello Mosikili confirmed that the man was not enrolled in the case and had been released while investigators continued their work.
The State currently does not have sufficient evidence to charge him in connection with the murder, according to reporting from the court proceedings.
His release does not necessarily mean investigators have completely ruled him out.
Police have indicated that further enquiries are continuing, including the examination of possible links and the identification of other people who may have information relevant to the case.
The investigation is being conducted in consultation with prosecutors under a prosecutor-guided approach, with detectives assessing evidence as it becomes available.
Ntimba was found dead in Villa Liza
Ntimba’s body was discovered by a passer-by in an open area on Lama Street in Villa Liza on 17 September.
Police have described the case as involving the ninth woman found dead in Ekurhuleni since July, amid a wider investigation into a series of women’s deaths across the region.
The circumstances surrounding Ntimba’s death have intensified concern because of the broader number of cases under investigation.
However, police have not established that Ntimba’s murder is connected to the other eight deaths.
Authorities have repeatedly said investigators are examining possible links while treating individual cases on the evidence available.
Police investigating possible love-triangle motive
Police have indicated that a possible relationship-related motive is being investigated in Ntimba’s murder.
Authorities have described this as a possible love triangle, but have not presented it as a confirmed motive.
Further details have been withheld while investigators continue gathering evidence.
According to reporting on the court proceedings, the accused women allegedly knew Ntimba and were with her around the time of the incident. The prosecution alleges that a relationship involving one of the accused’s husband and Ntimba may have preceded the killing.
Those allegations remain to be tested in court.
Schedule 6 bail application set for October
Masilela and Msithini will remain in custody until their next appearance on 1 October 2026, when they are expected to apply for bail.
Because the charges include premeditated murder, the matter falls under the Schedule 6 bail framework.
This means an accused seeking bail generally has to satisfy the court that exceptional circumstances exist that justify release pending trial.
The bail hearing will therefore deal with whether the legal requirements for release have been met. It will not determine the accused’s guilt or innocence.
Both women remain legally presumed innocent unless and until a court finds otherwise.
Court restricts photography and video
The Boksburg Magistrate’s Court ruled that media coverage of Monday’s proceedings would be limited to audio recordings.
No photographs or video footage of the accused or presiding officers were permitted.
The restriction means images of the two women appearing in court cannot be published from the proceedings.
The decision comes as investigators continue working on a case that has attracted substantial public and media attention because of the wider Ekurhuleni killings.
Nine women’s deaths under investigation
Ntimba is the ninth woman reported killed in Ekurhuleni since July, according to police and current reporting.
The deaths have generated concern about whether there could be a connection between some of the cases.
Police have nevertheless cautioned against drawing conclusions before investigators establish the evidence.
The Ntimba investigation is currently being pursued as its own criminal case, while detectives separately continue assessing whether any evidence connects it to other killings.
That distinction is important because the arrest of two people in Ntimba’s case does not establish a connection to the other deaths.
Police say investigation is far from over
Mosikili said investigators were continuing with follow-up enquiries and would conduct identity parades where necessary.
Additional information could also lead police to investigate other possible suspects.
The release of the third person therefore reflects the current evidentiary position rather than the conclusion of the investigation.
For now, two women face murder charges and remain in custody, while detectives continue gathering evidence around Ntimba’s death and examining whether further arrests or charges may follow.
The next major development is expected on 1 October, when Masilela and Msithini are due back in the Boksburg Magistrate’s Court for their bail application.
