South African police have responded to a series of allegations circulating on social media about criminal activity and police conduct in Kempton Park, Gauteng, as investigators continue examining the deaths of nine women whose bodies were discovered in different parts of Ekurhuleni over recent months.

The South African Police Service (SAPS) issued its response after a social-media post raised allegations involving drug dealing, missing people, human trafficking, undocumented persons and possible corruption among police officials. Police said the concerns were being taken seriously but stressed that specific and verifiable information would be required before individual allegations could be properly investigated.

The police response comes against the backdrop of an ongoing investigation into nine women whose bodies were found in Kempton Park, Olifantsfontein, Kwa-Thema and Dawn Park between July 15 and September 17.

Authorities have not confirmed that all nine deaths are connected. Police have previously acknowledged similarities in some of the cases, including locations where bodies were discovered and reported signs of bruising, but investigators have cautioned against reaching conclusions about a possible serial killer while the evidence is still being examined.

One of the nine victims had not been linked to a missing-person report at the time of the latest police update, adding another challenge for investigators attempting to establish the identities and circumstances surrounding all the deaths.

The investigation has now been given additional resources. SAPS said a multidisciplinary specialised team, coordinated by the Deputy National Commissioner for Detective Services, is working on the cases. President Cyril Ramaphosa has also directed law-enforcement agencies to give priority to the investigation.

The government has also approved a broader emergency strategy in response to the killings. The strategy includes increased police visibility, environmental safety measures and closer cooperation between government authorities, communities and local safety structures.

The City of Ekurhuleni has been instructed to intensify measures such as grass cutting, clearing overgrown areas and removing illegal dumping sites. These measures are part of efforts to improve visibility and environmental safety in areas where people may otherwise be vulnerable.

SAPS said crime-prevention operations in Kempton Park have also continued under Operation Shanela and Operation Lockdown. According to police figures, 973 suspects have been arrested at Kempton Park Police Station since the beginning of July. Of these, 525 arrests were linked to alleged immigration-law violations, while 87 involved alleged drug-related offences. Police said more than 440 grams of various drugs had been seized.

Police also reported 106 arrests for alleged driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs and 30 arrests connected with liquor-related offences. Authorities said hundreds of liquor-compliance inspections had also been conducted.

Additional police personnel have been deployed to strengthen the Kempton Park Police Station. SAPS is working with the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department, Gauteng Traffic Wardens, Community Police Forums and private security organisations as part of the wider crime-prevention response.

Police have separately expressed concern over allegations that officials could be accepting money to make criminal case files disappear or interfere with investigations. SAPS has asked anyone with evidence of such conduct to report it through its complaints channels.

Authorities have also warned the public against spreading unverified claims, particularly allegations that associate criminal activity with people solely because of their nationality or immigration status. SAPS said criminal allegations should be investigated on the basis of evidence.

The investigation into the deaths of the nine women remains active. Police have not established that all the cases are connected, and investigators are continuing to examine similarities and differences between the incidents.

As authorities gather forensic evidence, interview witnesses and investigate missing-person reports, further information could clarify whether the deaths are connected or represent separate cases.

For now, police are urging residents to provide concrete information that could assist investigators rather than relying on unverified social-media claims. The ultimate findings will depend on evidence gathered during the ongoing investigations.