Kempton Park SAPS have registered a case of murder after the body of a 32-year-old woman was discovered near Great North Road, close to Max Informal Settlement in Pomona, on August 3.

According to police, officers responded to a murder complaint at about 10:00 and found paramedics at the scene.

“Itumeleng Kekana was identified by her boyfriend, who arrived at the scene,” said Kempton Park SAPS spokesperson Sergeant Dipuo Ditshego.

She confirmed that Itumeleng had been reported missing to the Kempton Park SAPS on July 17.

Ditshego said the victim was found in the bushes next to the road with multiple stab wounds.

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“The circumstances surrounding her death remain under investigation, and no suspects have been arrested at this stage.”

The motive for the murder is currently unknown.

Speaking on behalf of the family, Itumeleng’s brother, Kokonyana Kekana, said her disappearance had left the family desperately searching for answers.

“My sister went missing on July 17. We looked for her everywhere until we found her today, and she’s no more. As a family, we are deeply shattered,” he said.

“We plead with SAPS to work hard and find the killers of my sister.”

Her partner, Lekgotla Gumede, said he was the one who identified her body after noticing emergency services near Great North Road.

“I was on my way to Kempton Park when I saw an ambulance parked on the side of the road.

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“I asked someone what had happened, and they said it looked like someone had been hit by a car. They also mentioned there was a woman’s body at the scene,” he said.

“I told them I had a missing person. They asked me to describe what she had been wearing and then told me to go and check. Even though the body had decomposed, I could tell it was her.”

Gumede has appealed to investigators to examine CCTV footage that could assist in identifying those responsible.

“We urge the officers to check the CCTV footage,” he said.

Ditshego added that paramedics declared Itumeleng dead at the scene.

“The Local Criminal Record Centre, the provincial investigation unit, the crime office and the missing persons investigation officer attended the scene.”

Itumeleng’s body was taken to the Germiston mortuary.

Anyone with information that could assist the investigation is urged to contact the Kempton Park SAPS.